A competition based on chance, in which numbered tickets are sold and prize money is awarded by drawing lots. Lotteries are most often organized by governments as a way to raise funds, but they also can be run for social or private goals. Examples include a lottery for units in a subsidized housing complex or kindergarten placements at a reputable public school. Typically, the organizer of a lottery records the identities of bettors and their stakes, and then draws lots or selects numbers from a pool to determine winners. A lottery may be played in person or by mail. Retailers selling lottery tickets usually include convenience stores, gas stations, banks, bowling alleys, restaurants and bars, and religious or fraternal organizations.
The first documented use of lotteries for the purpose of raising funds appears in documents from the Low Countries in the 15th century, but they may date back to the earliest civilizations. The practice of making decisions or determining fates by the casting of lots has a long record in history, including several instances in the Bible.
Modern state lotteries are typically established by legislatures and approved by voters; they have monopoly status in the marketplace and rely on their own sales revenues to cover overhead costs. They usually begin with a small number of simple games and expand over time. The constant pressure to increase revenue leads them to introduce new games and features to keep up with public demand. Criticisms of the lottery often shift from a debate over whether it is desirable or not to specific features, such as its effects on compulsive gamblers and its alleged regressive impact on lower-income groups.