The lottery is a form of gambling in which numbers are drawn to determine the winner of a prize. Lottery revenues are usually earmarked for public services, including education. State lotteries have broad appeal as a way to raise money and are popular with the general public, with 60% of adults playing at least once a year. But critics charge that many lotteries are run as businesses with a focus on maximizing revenues, and that their advertising is often deceptive. They point to a number of problems associated with the promotion of gambling, such as the negative effects on poor people and problem gamblers, as well as the way in which lotteries are often at cross-purposes with the public interest.

The practice of deciding affairs or determining fate by casting lots has a long record in human history, including several instances in the Bible and use by ancient Roman emperors for distributing property and slaves. Lottery is a modern version of this ancient practice, and has been popular in many countries and cultures.

In colonial era America, lotteries were common in the early colonies and played an important role in the establishment of the first English settlements in North America. They also raised funds for paving streets, constructing wharves, building colleges (including Harvard and Yale), and other projects.

Historically, the majority of lotto players and revenues have come from middle-income neighborhoods. However, recent studies suggest that those playing the daily numbers games and scratch tickets come from disproportionately low-income communities, and that overall revenues are becoming more regressive.