A competition in which prizes are awarded to ticket holders whose numbers are drawn at random; usually a means of raising money for state or charitable purposes. Lotteries also are used to raffle houses, cars, and other valuable possessions.

In the United States, most states have a state lottery that sells tickets and pays out prizes. Unlike federal programs, which are funded by general taxation, state-run lotteries depend on voluntary sales of tickets for their revenues and profits. In the early post-World War II era, lotteries became popular with politicians and voters as an alternative to reducing state programs and services or raising taxes.

The lottery is an enormous industry, generating billions of dollars annually in revenue for state governments worldwide. Its popularity reflects a deep desire for the prospect of winning big money. Nevertheless, the lottery is not without its critics who argue that it is unjust to force people to gamble against themselves. They also point out that the money that people spend on tickets is regressive, in that poorer people are more likely to buy and play the lottery than richer citizens.

Lottery proponents argue that the lottery is necessary because of the state’s need for revenue, a claim that ignores the fact that lotteries are gambling businesses that do not serve anyone but the players. They also miss the point that the money that lottery players spend on tickets is a public subsidy for gambling and that states that do not run a lottery lose potential revenue to neighboring states that do.