In a Wednesday CNN report, opponents called the lottery system institutional racism that targets impoverished Black and Brown communities throughout America.
One Altadena resident won a record $2.04 billion Powerball prize. 1 in 292.2 million.
CNN reported that state lotteries actively promote the lottery and sell tickets to low-income neighbourhoods at greater rates, fooling Americans into thinking it would immediately make them rich.
"Blacks and browns dominate these towns. Critics worry a system that transfers money out of underprivileged areas would force them into debt "CNN's Nicquel Terry Ellis and Justin Gamble wrote.
"Stop Predatory Gambling" national director Les Bernal labelled the lottery "consumer financial fraud" and "systematic racism."
Lotteries are regressive, with low-income groups spending more on games than richer ones, the study found. Instant scratch-off games cost more than Powerball.