Lottery is a form of gambling that involves the drawing of numbers for prizes, most commonly cash. It is widely popular around the world, with more than 50 states running lotteries. Some people play the lottery regularly, others buy tickets occasionally or even less frequently. It is estimated that a little over half of Americans play the lottery at least once per year. It is a big industry and state governments are a major part of it, with profits from sales a significant source of revenue.
States largely adopted lotteries in the post-World War II era as a way to raise funds without raising taxes on working families. They were also convinced that the public would be willing to spend money on a chance to win a fortune, especially in an environment of widening economic inequality and newfound materialism that asserts anyone can get rich through hard work and luck.
In most cases, state officials establish a monopoly for the lottery; select a public agency or corporation to run it; start operations with a modest number of relatively simple games; and — in response to pressure to increase revenues — progressively expand the variety of available games. This dynamic is a classic example of policy making at the margins, where decisions are made incrementally and in isolation from each other.
In addition to the game itself, there is an ongoing debate about the role of lotteries in society and how they should be regulated. Critics say that promoting gambling through lotteries has negative consequences for poor and problem gamblers, and is at cross-purposes with the state’s mission to serve its residents.