Template-Type: ReDIF-Paper 1.0
Series: Tinbergen Institute Discussion Papers
Creation-Date: 2018-10-28
Number: 18-078/V
Author-Name: Martijn (M.J.) Burger
Author-Email: mburger@ese.eur.nl
Author-Workplace-Name: Erasmus School of Economics 
Author-Name: Martijn Hendriks
Author-Email: hendriks@ese.eur.nl
Author-Workplace-Name: Erasmus School of Economics 
Author-Name: Emma Pleeging
Author-Email: pleeging@ese.eur.nl
Author-Workplace-Name: Erasmus School of Economics 
Author-Name: Jan (J.C.) van Ours
Author-Email: vanours@ese.eur.nl
Author-Workplace-Name: Erasmus School of Economics 
Title: The Joy of Lottery Play: Evidence from a Field Experiment
Abstract: We conducted a field experiment to increase our understanding of lottery participation. Using representative data for the Netherlands, we find that lottery participation increased the happiness of participants before the draw. Winning a small prize had no effect on happiness. Our results indicate that people may not only care about the outcomes of the lottery, but also enjoy the game. Accordingly, we conclude that lottery play has a utility value in itself and part of the lottery ticket is consumed before the draw.
Classification-JEL: C93; I31
Keywords: lottery play; happiness; field experiment
File-URL: https://papers.tinbergen.nl/18078.pdf
File-Format: application/pdf
File-Size: 513316 bytes
Handle: RePEc:tin:wpaper:20180078