Utah is one of only four states without a lottery. A longshot bill under consideration by the Utah State Legislature could potentially change that.
Rep. Kera Birkeland’s bill would let voters decide whether or not to rewrite the state constitution and allow for a lottery. According to Salt Lake Tribune columnist Robert Gehrke, the bill’s chances of passing are about as slim as the odds of winning the lottery itself. He’s among our guests as we explore why that’s the case, and why citizens and states continue to bet their dreams on the big jackpot.
GUESTS:
- Robert Gehrke |with The Salt Lake Tribune
- Jonathan D. Cohen | Program officer at the American Academy of Arts and Sciences and author of “For a Dollar and a Dream: State Lotteries in Modern America” [ Amazon | Bookshop]
Air date: Feb. 28, 2024 at 9 a.m. and 7 p.m.