The lottery is a form of gambling in which participants pay a small amount of money for the chance to win a larger prize, such as cash or property. Modern lotteries are typically regulated and operated by government agencies, though there are also private lotteries. The lottery is popular with a wide variety of people, and is commonly used to raise funds for a range of public purposes.

The origins of the lottery are ancient. The Old Testament instructs Moses to take a census of the people of Israel and divide the land by lot, and Roman emperors gave away property and slaves through the use of lotteries. In the 17th century, it was common for the Netherlands to organize lotteries to collect money for a variety of purposes; the Dutch state-owned Staatsloterij is still in operation today.

In the 18th and 19th centuries, lottery games became popular in the United States as a means of raising revenue for public services. Privately organized lotteries were also widespread as a way to sell products or properties for more money than they could be obtained in a normal sale.

Despite these benefits, the lottery is often criticized for its alleged regressive effects on poorer citizens and problem gamblers. In addition, it is criticized for creating the illusion that people can become wealthy by purchasing a ticket. Nevertheless, since New Hampshire initiated the modern era of state lotteries in 1964, many states have adopted them and they are now widely considered to be an important source of revenue for the states.