A lottery is a form of gambling in which tokens are sold and prizes are awarded by drawing lots. The prizes may be money, goods, or services. Modern lotteries are often characterized by the predetermined number and value of prizes and the fact that payment is required for a chance to win. A lottery is a type of game that is usually organized by a government or public body and has wide appeal as a means of raising funds. It is also used for military conscription, commercial promotions, and other purposes in which a selection by lot is made.
The principal argument that governments have used to justify the adoption of lotteries has been that they are a source of “painless revenue”—that is, the proceeds are derived from people who voluntarily spend their money (as opposed to being taxed) for the public good. This is a flawed argument, however. It ignores the societal costs associated with addiction to gambling and fails to compare its ill effects with those of alcohol or tobacco.
Once a state has adopted a lottery, it can be difficult to dislodge it. This is because it has created extensive and specific constituencies, including convenience store owners (lotteries are usually promoted through their outlets); suppliers to the lottery (heavy contributions to state political campaigns are commonly reported); teachers (in states where lotter revenues are earmarked for education); state legislators (who quickly become accustomed to the steady flow of income from lotteries); and so on. In addition, state officials have an incentive to maintain the lottery’s popularity and increase its revenues, because these are the primary sources of their salaries and benefits.