Lottery Does More Good than Harm

Nowadays, lottery is no longer a strange term to most Chinese. Some people buy national welfare lottery, sports lottery and soccer lottery from time to time. Though the chance of winning a fortune is very slim, buyers still go for it, because apart from grand prizes, lottery means something more, to the individuals and society alike.

On the one hand, lottery raises funds for public causes. For instance, billions of dollars are collected by welfare lottery each year, and go into the social security system in aiding the old, the poor, the disabled, and the orphaned. Therefore, lottery does not only benefit several "lucky dogs", but more importantly, the country as a whole. And on the other hand, buying lottery is fun for the individuals. The public appreciates the high odds against them, which makes lottery a kind of game.

Nevertheless, some people suspect that lottery leads to a gambling psychology. Indeed, some people may get addicted, or stay idle for "easy money". Luckily, they only constitute the minority. After all, lottery does more good than harm as long as it is dealt with properly. (185 words)

结构剖析

文章分为三段

第一段引出话题，彩票对人们来说已不再陌生，但是彩票有更多的意义。

第二段从两个方面，并举例for instance说明彩票的积极作用。

第三段从反面说明彩票可能带来的问题，最后用after all结尾表明彩票利大于弊。

彩票利大于弊

现在，彩票对中国人来说已经不再陌生。买国家福利彩票、体育彩票和足球彩票已司空见惯。尽管中奖的几率微乎其微，彩民们仍然趋之若鹜。这是因为无论对个人还是社会，彩票不仅代表着巨额奖金，还有更多的意义。

一方面，彩票能募集更多的社会资金。例如，每年上亿的福利彩票收入流入社会保障系统，帮助了众多老弱病残以及孤儿们。彩票不仅让个别的幸运儿发了大财，更重要的是，使整个国家受益。另一方面，买彩票也成为一种个人娱乐。社会大众都意识到中奖的几率小，所以更多地把买彩票当成游戏。

不过，一些人担心买彩票会引发赌博心理。确实有一部分人可能着迷上瘾，无所事事只等天上掉钱。幸运的是他们只是少数。总之，只要用之有道，彩票还是利大于弊的。

slim adj. 苗条的，修长的

for instance 举例，例如

lucky dog 习语，幸运儿

nevertheless adv. 然而，不过

lead to 导致，引起

get addicted 沉溺于，上瘾

as long as 只要......

1. Though the chance of winning a fortune is very slim, buyers still go for it, because apart from grand prizes, lottery means something more, to the individuals and society alike. 尽管中奖的几率微乎其微，彩民们仍然趋之若鹜。这是因为无论对个人还是社会，彩票不仅代表着巨额奖金，还有更多的意义。

2. Therefore, lottery does not only benefit several "lucky dogs", but more importantly, the country as a whole. 彩票不仅让个别的幸运儿发了大财，更重要的是，使整个国家受益。

3. Nevertheless, some people suspect that lottery leads to a gambling psychology. 不过，一些人担心买彩票会引发赌博心理。

4. After all, lottery does more good than harm as long as it is dealt with properly.

总之，只要用之有道，彩票还是利大于弊的。