Lottery is a form of gambling where participants pay a small amount to have the chance to win a prize. The prizes are usually money or goods. Some state governments promote lotteries and regulate them. Others ban them altogether or prohibit their use on public property. Some states also organize a state-wide lottery. Others organize local lotteries for educational purposes. Lotteries are popular among the general public, with 60% of adults reporting playing at least once a year. In addition to the general public, lotteries develop extensive constituencies that include convenience store operators (the usual vendors); suppliers of lottery tickets; teachers (in those states where proceeds are earmarked for education); and state legislators (who are accustomed to the additional revenue).

Lotteries have been a source of revenue in many countries for centuries. The first modern state lotteries were launched in the United States in 1964. Their popularity grew in the immediate post-World War II period, when states could expand social safety net programs without having to raise taxes on middle- and working-class households.

State lotteries are a major source of revenue for governments in the United States, raising more than $70 billion in 2022. This revenue is used mainly to finance schools, other educational services and public works projects. It is also used to supplement cigarette, sin and income tax revenues. But lottery play carries significant risks for some people, including addiction and a decline in educational achievement. Some state and federal lawmakers question whether it is appropriate for government to promote a vice, especially one that disproportionately affects low-income communities.