Abstract

GAETE, Jorge L.. Immorality or lesser evil? The Chilean National Charity Lottery project (1912-1934). Sig. his [online]. 2020, vol.22, n.43, pp.152-185.  Epub June 30, 2020. ISSN 1665-4420.

This article analyzes the debates around the creation of a National Charity Lottery in Chile, from the first project presented in 1912 until its completion in 1934. It examines the context and development of such venture, emphasizing the clash of opinions between its supporters and detractors, who saw how pernicious it was to incentivize the game, despite its aims. It will be shown that the Lottery was seen as the solution to the financial problems of the Beneficence, as it would generate resources that would allow its autonomy from donations and fiscal resources, which had been considered as insufficient, and, at the same time, it would prevent it from being administered by the State. However, the controversies it generated, the political opposition, and the changes in its final approval led to its beginning to function in a new scenario, with objectives other than those initially thought.

Keywords : morality; common benefit; gambling; addiction; financing.