The lottery is a form of gambling where people buy tickets for a chance to win a large sum of money. It is run by state and federal governments. People who win big prizes are chosen through a random drawing.

The casting of lots to decide fates or to distribute public funds has a long history, and is well documented in the Bible. Its modern use as a tool of public finance is much more recent. State governments have promoted lotteries as a way to raise money for social services without imposing burdensome taxes on middle-class and working-class residents, especially during times of economic stress, when such taxes would have been unpopular.

In the United States, where the lotteries are government-sponsored monopolies, state governments receive all profits from ticket sales. The resulting revenues have helped to maintain the size of many state-funded programs. In the immediate post-World War II period, this arrangement worked fairly well. But the cost of living climbed and states found it harder to sustain their programs. The advent of the computer has made it easier to record and print tickets, and a number of states have also used the mail system to permit purchases from out-of-state residents.

The marketing message of the lottery is clear: “you can be a winner!” The huge jackpots of recent years have attracted more and more buyers. The top prize is sometimes carried over from one drawing to the next, making it possible for the jackpot to reach newsworthy levels that get it free publicity on newspapers and television. It is important to remember that lotteries are a business and their primary purpose is to maximize revenue. But does that function conflict with the broader interests of society?