Whether you’re buying tickets in the hopes of winning big or simply want to have fun, it’s important to understand what you’re doing. Here are some tips for getting the most out of your lottery experience.

Making decisions and determining fates by the casting of lots has a long record in human history, including several instances recorded in the Bible, but the use of lotteries for material gain is much more recent. The first public lottery to distribute prize money was organized in the 15th century, but records suggest that a similar practice existed even earlier. The earliest lottery-style tickets are recorded in the Low Countries, where towns held lotteries to raise funds for town fortifications and to help the poor.

In the modern era, state governments have generally embraced lotteries, often delegating to a special lottery division responsibility for licensing and training retail sales agents, selecting and reselling ticket terminals, paying high-tier prizes, assisting retailers in promoting the games and ensuring that all lottery activities comply with local, state and federal law. A central argument for the existence of lotteries is that they provide “painless” revenue: lottery revenues give states a source of income without raising taxes on the general public.

Unfortunately, the odds of winning the lottery are extremely low. But that shouldn’t stop anyone from enjoying a little lottery fun every now and then. It’s just a good idea to play responsibly and consider other places to invest your hard-earned cash.