Lottery is a form of gambling in which people purchase tickets for a chance to win a prize. The prizes are normally cash or goods. Typically, each ticket has an equal chance of winning. The winners are chosen by drawing lots, such as a random number generator or a machine that selects numbers from a container of entries. The winners are chosen by chance, but the odds of winning are generally low. Historically, people have used lotteries to raise money for public works and other charitable purposes.

Many people use the lottery to supplement their income, and it has become a popular activity among the lower classes. In the United States, there are now 37 state lotteries and the District of Columbia has one. Despite this, the lottery has come under fire for its addictiveness and alleged regressive effects on poorer communities. It is also often associated with crime and illegal gambling.

The casting of lots to determine fates or material gains has a long history, with a number of examples recorded in the Bible and in the Chinese Book of Songs (2nd millennium BC). Modern lotteries are generally organized by state governments with a licensed promoter.

Lotteries have broad public appeal and are easy to organize. They also have the potential to generate significant profits for the state. Lottery revenues are not subject to the same fiscal pressures as other taxes, and they attract special constituencies such as convenience store owners (who benefit from selling tickets); lottery suppliers (heavy contributions by these firms to state political campaigns are regularly reported); and teachers (in those states where lottery funds are earmarked for education). However, lottery revenues tend to have limited long-term sustainability.