The lottery is a form of gambling in which people pay to purchase a set of numbers and, if enough of those numbers match those randomly selected by a machine or by an official, they win a prize. Lotteries have gained widespread popularity in many states, and their profits are used to fund a wide variety of public projects. In the United States, where the first modern state-sponsored lottery was established in 1964, there are now dozens of lotteries. Most are run by private companies, but some are operated by government agencies. In addition to generating revenue, lotteries often create extensive specific constituencies that include convenience store operators (the usual vendors for the tickets); suppliers to the lottery industry (heavy contributions from those suppliers to state political campaigns are regularly reported); teachers (in states where a portion of the proceeds is earmarked for education); and state legislators (who quickly become accustomed to the additional funds).

Although the casting of lots to determine fates and possessions has a long history, the lottery as an instrument of material gain dates only from the early modern period. The first known public lotteries to offer tickets and prizes of money were held in the Low Countries during the 15th century, for such purposes as raising funds for town fortifications and helping the poor.

Those who play the lottery are generally aware of the odds, and know that the chances of winning a big prize are very small. Nevertheless, they continue to buy tickets because they believe that the entertainment value and other non-monetary benefits of the game outweigh the disutility of a monetary loss. Moreover, if the amount of the ticket is relatively cheap, the marginal cost of the ticket is nearly zero.

Lottery players have been stereotyped as irrational gamblers, but those who do substantial research into the lottery argue that they are no more irrational than people who spend $50 or $100 on a movie ticket or a round of golf. They may have quote-unquote “systems” that they believe will lead them to the jackpot, but they know that those systems are not based on statistical reasoning. They may have a preferred store to buy tickets at or the best time of day to play, but they know that these are merely ways to increase their chances of buying a ticket.

A key factor in sustaining the popularity of the lottery is its role as an instrument of social welfare. This argument is particularly effective in times of economic stress, when state governments are facing the prospect of tax increases or cuts to public programs. But it is important to recognize that this social welfare rationale is a false one. In fact, the objective fiscal circumstances of the state do not appear to have much bearing on whether or when a lottery is adopted, and the popularity of the lottery does not seem to be related to its actual fiscal health.