In 1930, the Irish Free State government established the Irish Sweepstakes, a lottery that raised funds for hospitals and other charitable causes. The Sweepstakes, which was based on the popular 'sweep' model, quickly became a major source of revenue for the state and a significant export to the United States. The Sweepstakes was a symbol of the new state's entrepreneurial spirit and its ability to generate revenue through innovative means.

The Irish Sweepstakes is a subject of social commentary in Irish poetry, with writers exploring the tensions between traditional values and modern commerce. The Sweepstakes' popularity is often contrasted with the poverty of the past, suggesting a new era of prosperity. The poetry of the period reflects the complex attitudes towards the lottery, which was seen as both a symbol of progress and a source of moral concern.