A lottery is a game in which participants pay for the chance to win a prize based on random selection. Prizes may be cash or goods. A variety of different types of lotteries are available, from those offering a chance to win a car or vacation to those that award subsidized housing units or kindergarten placements. Most lotteries are organized by a government or by licensed promoters. In the United States, state legislatures must pass a law authorizing a lottery before it can be established. Lotteries have long been popular and, despite their critics, the money they raise is used for many important public purposes.

The practice of distributing something by drawing lots dates back to ancient times. In the Bible, for example, Moses is instructed to divide land amongst the Israelites by lot. Ancient Roman emperors gave away slaves and property by lottery at Saturnalian feasts. Modern lotteries include military conscription, commercial promotions in which prizes are awarded by random procedure, and the selection of jury members.

While the popularity of a lottery is often linked to its perceived ability to provide “painless” revenue, the actual fiscal condition of a state does not seem to play much role in determining whether or when a lottery will be authorized. A key element of the appeal of a lottery is its claim to be promoting a specific public good, such as education. However, critics argue that lotteries tend to encourage addictive gambling behavior and are a major regressive tax on lower-income groups. In addition, they claim that the prevailing emphasis on maximizing revenues runs at cross-purposes with the state’s duty to protect the public welfare.