Ian Coss

In fact, that was John's pitch, like instant gratification, excitement. That was the lottery of the future. And when states heard that pitch... Well, it apparently did not work, actually. It did not land.

In fact, that was John's pitch, like instant gratification, excitement. That was the lottery of the future. And when states heard that pitch... Well, it apparently did not work, actually. It did not land.

Right. Credibility and integrity over innovation because of...

Right. Credibility and integrity over innovation because of...

Right. Credibility and integrity over innovation because of...

Lotteries, gambling, was a shadowy business that states were wading into cautiously. And any whiff of irregularity, a fixed drawing, a forged ticket, it would shatter the public's trust.

Lotteries, gambling, was a shadowy business that states were wading into cautiously. And any whiff of irregularity, a fixed drawing, a forged ticket, it would shatter the public's trust.

Lotteries, gambling, was a shadowy business that states were wading into cautiously. And any whiff of irregularity, a fixed drawing, a forged ticket, it would shatter the public's trust.

So yeah, organized crime may have been in the back of states' minds when they were not interested in John's flashy new lottery scratchers. However, ironically, the mob might also be the reason that Massachusetts decided to be less conservative about their lottery, which brings us to the tale of Fat Vinnie the Stool Pigeon.

So yeah, organized crime may have been in the back of states' minds when they were not interested in John's flashy new lottery scratchers. However, ironically, the mob might also be the reason that Massachusetts decided to be less conservative about their lottery, which brings us to the tale of Fat Vinnie the Stool Pigeon.

So yeah, organized crime may have been in the back of states' minds when they were not interested in John's flashy new lottery scratchers. However, ironically, the mob might also be the reason that Massachusetts decided to be less conservative about their lottery, which brings us to the tale of Fat Vinnie the Stool Pigeon.

And Vinny was also the informant, of course. And as an informant, Mr. the Stool Pigeon testified in court lots of times. And perhaps most notably for our story, he also testified in front of a United States Senate hearing about organized crime.

And Vinny was also the informant, of course. And as an informant, Mr. the Stool Pigeon testified in court lots of times. And perhaps most notably for our story, he also testified in front of a United States Senate hearing about organized crime.

And Vinny was also the informant, of course. And as an informant, Mr. the Stool Pigeon testified in court lots of times. And perhaps most notably for our story, he also testified in front of a United States Senate hearing about organized crime.

In fact, part of the reason state lotteries were popping up in the first place was to do just that, to offer a legal alternative and ideally put the mob out of business. And I mean also so that the states could have a little extra revenue stream, but, you know, whatever. Yes, put the mob out of business. But that was not working.

In fact, part of the reason state lotteries were popping up in the first place was to do just that, to offer a legal alternative and ideally put the mob out of business. And I mean also so that the states could have a little extra revenue stream, but, you know, whatever. Yes, put the mob out of business. But that was not working.

In fact, part of the reason state lotteries were popping up in the first place was to do just that, to offer a legal alternative and ideally put the mob out of business. And I mean also so that the states could have a little extra revenue stream, but, you know, whatever. Yes, put the mob out of business. But that was not working.

Yep, better odds, better payouts. Anonymity, I guess, and also the ability to bet on credit if you feel pretty good about your kneecaps.

Yep, better odds, better payouts. Anonymity, I guess, and also the ability to bet on credit if you feel pretty good about your kneecaps.

Yep, better odds, better payouts. Anonymity, I guess, and also the ability to bet on credit if you feel pretty good about your kneecaps.