Lottery is a game of chance in which a prize (money, goods, or services) is offered and the winner is chosen by random drawing. Modern lottery games are usually organized by governments or private promoters, and the terms of participation may differ. Some state lotteries require payment for the chance to win a prize, while others award prizes without requiring any consideration. The term “lottery” is also used for a variety of other types of random selection procedures, such as military conscription, commercial promotions in which products or property are given away through random processes, and the selection of jury members from lists of registered voters.
The act of drawing lots to make decisions or determine fates has a long history in human societies, with early examples appearing in the Bible and elsewhere. But the modern lottery, with its emphasis on public financial gain, is relatively recent. The first state-run lottery in the United States was established in New Hampshire in 1964, and the popularity of the lottery has spread rapidly since then.
In many cases, lottery prize money is predetermined and is distributed in proportion to the number of tickets sold, with profits for the promoters deducted from the total pool before the winnings are awarded. The prizes are commonly grouped in categories, with one or more large jackpots and a large number of smaller prizes.
Super-sized jackpots generate enormous publicity, driving ticket sales and generating more media attention. But many critics argue that lottery games encourage irrational gambling behavior and can have negative social consequences, including for poor people and problem gamblers.