Lottery is a form of gambling in which money or property is awarded to a random winner. In modern times, the term also refers to commercial promotions in which a prize is offered for the purchase of a product or service. Lotteries are widely used by governments to raise funds for a variety of public purposes and are a popular source of revenue for state governments. Although many critics have attacked lottery operations as a form of “hidden tax,” studies show that state lotteries receive broad public support and are rarely affected by the state’s objective fiscal situation.

Since the first modern state lotteries began in 1964, virtually every state has adopted one and lotteries continue to enjoy wide popularity. The principal argument for the adoption of a lottery is that it is a source of “painless” revenues: players voluntarily spend their own money in return for a small chance to win a substantial sum. Lottery profits can thus be used to finance government services without onerous taxes. This argument seems particularly effective in economic stress, when voters and politicians are concerned about state spending or facing the prospect of reduced social safety nets.

The success of a lottery depends on several factors, including the design and promotion of its games. Moreover, the nature of the prizes offered is critical to lottery success: they should be relatively large and accessible, with a range of smaller prizes. Although the exact size of the prizes varies from lottery to lottery, it is common for prize pools to include a single large jackpot and a number of smaller prizes. In addition, many lotteries offer a wide variety of games.