Official lottery is the procedure of distributing something (usually money or prizes) among people by chance, using a system like drawing lots or selecting numbers. It is one form of gambling and the most common way states raise money for their programs, a practice dating back to the colonial era and involving a variety of mechanisms.

In the modern era, lotteries were created by state governments to generate revenue for public purposes, such as education. Since the late 1960s, states have raised more than $42 billion from the games. But critics say the lottery doesn’t actually solve any public problems and that it encourages irrational behavior.

The state-run lottery has its supporters, including some politicians who use the games to promote other policies. They point out that, unlike income, property, or sales tax, lottery revenue comes from a captive population of people who are willing to buy tickets. They also argue that states are always in need of money and that lottery revenue is a better alternative to cutting public services and programs or raising taxes, which are often politically unpopular.

But studies have found that, even when states limit the number of winnings and set strict eligibility requirements, they don’t reduce the frequency of lottery play or the total amount of money won. And a growing number of lottery winners find themselves in a precarious position. New York legislator Joe Addabbo, a Democrat who chairs the Racing, Gaming and Wagering Committee, has seen constituents forced to relocate or sell their homes because they are being stalked by financial advisors and solicitors. Some have become targets for bogus financial advice and even robberies.