[countable] a method of raising money by selling tickets in which people choose numbers. The numbers are then drawn randomly, and those with the winning numbers receive prizes. The drawing of lots to determine ownership or other rights is recorded in ancient documents, but the modern lottery was first linked to government funding in the seventeenth century. It became a common source of revenue for towns, wars, churches, and public works projects. In the nineteen-sixties, as America’s prosperity began to wane amid an expanding population, rising inflation, and the cost of the Vietnam War, balancing state budgets became more difficult. Many people who favored a generous social safety net were reluctant to raise taxes or cut services, and so turned to the lottery for an alternative way to raise funds.
Lotteries usually require that the identity and amount staked by each bettor be recorded. The money is then deposited with the lottery organization for later shuffling and selection in the lottery drawing. A common practice is to divide the tickets into fractions, such as tenths. These fractions are sold for a reduced price, and the number of the fraction selected in the drawing determines how much the winner gets.
Lotteries can also be used to award access to something limited but in high demand, such as kindergarten admission at a prestigious school or a place on a crowded public bus. They can also be used to allocate a coveted position or a slot in a sports team, or to give away vaccines for a fast-moving virus.