Lottery is a form of gambling in which numbers are drawn to determine ownership or other rights. It is common in many cultures and has been used to raise money for towns, wars, colleges, and public-works projects. In modern times, it is often a state or government-sponsored enterprise. Some governments have banned it while others endorse and regulate it. A lottery requires a system of collecting and pooling all stakes paid for tickets, which are usually sold at a discounted price and then “banked.” A percentage is normally deducted to cover costs of organizing the lottery and promoting it, with the remainder going to the winner.
The word lottery derives from the Middle Dutch lotinge, meaning “action of drawing lots.” It has been in use since ancient times and was first recorded in English in the late fifteenth or early sixteenth century. Its popularity grew rapidly in the seventeenth century. In the United States, the first lotteries were conducted in the colonial period to raise money for towns and wars. The Jamestown settlement was financed by a lottery in 1612. State lotteries expanded during the twentieth century, particularly in the Northeast. Many of these new lotteries were established by state legislatures that wanted to increase revenue for public works projects without raising taxes.
Players of lotteries differ in how frequently they play and the types of games they prefer. Seventeen percent of South Carolina lottery players say they play the lottery more than once a week (“frequent players”). Others report playing fewer than once a week, either one to three times a month or less (these are considered infrequent players). Generally, high school-educated men who are middle-aged or older are more likely to be frequent and infrequent players. Some states offer a wide range of games, from scratch cards to a variety of draw games. Some even partner with sports teams and other companies to provide popular products as prizes.