A lottery is a game in which numbers are drawn at random for a prize. Some governments outlaw lotteries, while others endorse them and regulate them to a significant extent. Modern lotteries include military conscription, commercial promotions in which property is given away by a random procedure, and the selection of jury members from registered voters. In strict terms, a lottery is a form of gambling, because it requires payment for the chance to win something of value (money, goods, services).
The first recorded lotteries were probably held in the Low Countries in the 15th century, to raise money for town fortifications and to help the poor. However, the lottery may be even older than that: the Old Testament describes land being distributed by lot. The practice of distributing property by lot was also common among ancient Roman emperors at Saturnalian feasts and other entertainments.
In the 17th and 18th centuries, public lotteries were widely used in England and America to finance a variety of projects, including paving streets, constructing wharves, and building churches and colleges. George Washington sponsored a lottery to raise money for the Continental Army, and lotteries were popular during colonial times as a way of collecting “voluntary taxes”.
Most states hold regular lotteries to provide state government with revenue that is not derived from general taxation. Lottery proceeds are usually earmarked for specific purposes, such as education and health programs. The lottery is a major source of income for state employees and contractors, as well as retailers selling tickets. It also is a substantial source of income for the media that promotes and covers the lottery.