Over the past 35 years there have been less than a handful of serious problems detected, and they were all dealt with by successfully prosecuting the culprits. But what I have not seen over the past 29 years are problems associated with lotteries - no social problems, no economic problems, no criminal problems. Odds of being struck by lightning are better than the odds of winning a lottery. Lottery players can win without actually hitting the jackpot, with lesser payouts for picking some of the correct numbers. A tax is compulsory payment to support government.
Citizens have no option in contributing to state revenue with mandated levies and other tariffs.
In fact, they may go to jail if they don't pay. Playing the lottery is entirely voluntary. Whether as a regular purchase or as an occasional play, buying a lottery ticket is an individual choice. The only consequence to not playing lottery is missing some fun and possibly a prize. Lotteries prey on the poor by target marketing to those who can least afford to play.