Very Interesting article. I believe everything boils down to the unilateral emotional feeling of a 'deal'. Thats how investments work. That's how retailing works. You will always find an even greater joy in getting that 20% discount on the toothpaste or a soap and will tempt you to buy even if you do not need it- why? Its a 'Deal'!

Same in Lottery, the concept of potentially enormous rewards for the few dollars spent, makes it a 'deal'. Infact here, our mind calculates the tradeoff as a significantly higher %age return on our investment (albeit not guaranteed). I agree then the mind rationalizes our feeling- substitution rational is an example: I will go for one movie less or skip that Eating out once to compensate for this thrill.

I also agree with Haris- Lottery is a great form of excitement and entertainment. As with all, overindulgence into anything is harmful- same with lottery. However in small doses, it - biologically- keeps that positive emotionally signals flowing.