While I agree lotteries are a voluntary tax on the poor, I haven't seen anyone advertise a lottery as an investment (i.e. a vehicle where there is a possibility

While I agree lotteries are a voluntary tax on the poor, I haven't seen anyone advertise a lottery as an investment (i.e. a vehicle where there is a possibility that the original capital can be recouped with profit). A lottery or casino is gambling in that everyone that participates understands that the bet is lost on the outcome of a single event. Pyramid schemes, ponzie schemes, and other similar scams imply the inevitability of a long term return on investment which is impossible to occur due to the nature of the transaction.