Thomas Jefferson once wrote: “This is tax on the willing.” To what was Jefferson referring and what did he mean by this remark?

Thomas Jefferson is often quoted as saying, "Lotteries are a tax on the willing," although variations of this sentiment might be attributed to him rather than these exact words. When Jefferson referred to lotteries in this manner, he was discussing the concept of voluntary taxation as opposed to compulsory taxation. Lotteries, being a form of gambling where participants willingly spend their money on a chance to win a larger prize, can be seen effectively as a "tax" because they raise money for public purposes, but unlike traditional taxes, they are not mandatory. People choose to "tax" themselves when they buy lottery tickets, often with the understanding that their money will go to support public projects, like infrastructure, education, or cultural endeavors. To Jefferson, the term "tax on the willing" highlights that those who participate are doing so of their own accord.