The article touches on this somewhat, but I think said differently: In an annuity, you're gambling against your own death. In a tontine, you're gambling again

The article touches on this somewhat, but I think said differently: In an annuity, you're gambling against your own death. In a tontine, you're gambling against the deaths of others. From a purely cultural perspective, I think most Americans would rather gamble against the deaths of others.