Bart has hit upon a very touchy subject. My Rebbe, Rabbi Shlomo Izacovitz
shlita told me that during the month of Adar, he buys one or two lottery
tickets. Gambling is forbidden but the Israeli lottery goes to building
various buildings in Eretz Yisrael. If Hashem wants to make him rich,
Hashem will. However, not to depend on a miracle, one can help G-D though a
natural outlet. If I feel lucky once in a blue moon - birthday or the month
of Adar; then I too will buy a ticket but knowing full well that the odds
are that the money will be lost and only 50% will go to charity and the
rest to prizes.
With blessings,
Richard (Rachamim) Pauli