A lottery is a form of gambling that involves the allocation of prizes based on chance. A lottery can be a simple arrangement where one or more prizes are allocated to a large number of people in a class whose process relies entirely on chance, or it may be more complex with the allocation of some or all of the prizes determined by a combination of chance and other factors. In modern practice, the prizes are usually cash.
Lotteries are a popular source of entertainment and an important method of raising funds for public purposes. In the United States, they are regulated by state law and may be organized by local governments or private entities. Typically, winnings are paid in the form of cash or merchandise, though some states also permit winners to choose between annuity payments and lump sum payouts. In the latter case, the lump sum payout can be significantly smaller than the advertised jackpot, especially if income taxes are taken into account.
The first known European lotteries offering money prizes appeared in the Low Countries in the 15th century, when towns sought to raise funds to build town fortifications and help the poor. They may have been inspired by a type of lottery used for distribution of slaves and other goods during Saturnalian feasts in ancient Rome, where tickets were given to guests with symbols printed on them.