Differential Peer Influence in Japanese Lotteries

All lotteries sold in Japan are national lotteries and the proceeds from these are utilized for socially beneficial projects. However, lotteries constitute a form of gambling and research has demonstrated that the purchase of lottery tickets by acquaintances and family members influences them. This study investigated the influence of others on lottery purchases in Japan. Data were obtained through a questionnaire survey, and statistical analysis revealed that the consumption of lotteries with short intervals between draws, such as scratch-off lottery tickets and internet lotteries, Numbers 3 and Numbers 4, was correlated with social networks. Conversely, there was a limited correlation between social networking and the consumption of lotteries with high first-prize money, such as Jumbo, Lotto 6, and Lotto 7, but long intervals between draws. This research provides implications not only for lottery consumption decision-making, but also for lottery policy implementation.