Motivation and ability as predictors of play behavior in state-sponsored lotteries: An empirical assessment of psychological control

This research explores the interaction of motivation and ability to explain individuals' level of participation in state-sponsored lotteries. The moti vation-ability framework is considered from the perspective of perceived co ntrol wherein Rotter's (1966) locus of control serves as a perceived abilit y to influence lottery outcomes, and the Burger and Cooper (1979) desire fo r control serves as a motivation to play. With the use of a sample of adult consumers residing in a state with a government-sponsored lottery, predict ed results were found. Specifically, the consumers who played the lottery t o the greatest extent were those with internal locus of control (high perce ived ability) and high desire for control (high motivation). (C) 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.