The lottery is the most popular form of gambling in America. In 2021 alone, Americans spent more than $100 billion on tickets. It’s a big business, and one that states promote as a way to raise revenue. But it’s not clear how much that revenue actually benefits the broader state budget, and it’s even less clear whether it’s worth the trade-off to make people lose money.

The reason is that lottery games are based on a combination of factors. One is that they dangle the promise of instant riches in an age of inequality and limited social mobility. Another is that they encourage us to think of the lottery as a meritocratic tool, giving a long shot a chance to get ahead.

Lottery marketing is also coded in the idea that, even if you lose, you can feel good about yourself because it’s helping children or whatever. That’s the message that’s primarily driving lottery sales right now, and it obscures the regressive nature of the whole thing.

There’s no magic formula for winning the lottery, and buying more tickets won’t help your odds. But you should always play responsibly, and consider enlisting the services of a lawyer for estate planning and a CPA for taxes if you do win. Also, don’t be afraid to change up your number patterns from time to time. Past winners have found that it’s important to do so, and it may help you hit the jackpot.