The lottery is a process by which numbers are drawn at random and participants have an opportunity to win a prize. Lotteries can take many forms, ranging from simple games to complex computerized systems. Most modern lotteries are based on the principle of paying a consideration (money, property, work) for a chance to receive a prize, and therefore qualify as gambling under most state laws. However, some lotteries may be used for purposes other than gambling, such as military conscription, commercial promotions in which property is given away by a random procedure, and the selection of juries from lists of registered voters.
The practice of making decisions and determining fates by lottery has a long history, including several instances mentioned in the Bible. In the modern sense, it was first recorded in the 15th century in the Low Countries for raising money to build town fortifications and help the poor. In fact, the first publicly held lottery to offer tickets and distribute prizes in the form of money was probably conducted in Bruges in 1466.
Lottery revenues typically expand rapidly after a state adopts a lottery, but then levels off or declines. To maintain or increase revenues, lotteries introduce new games frequently. The most common innovation is the scratch-off ticket, which requires a small payment to enter and offers higher odds of winning a prize, such as cash or merchandise, than conventional tickets.
Despite the ubiquity of lotteries, few states have a coherent lottery policy. Instead, the establishment of a lottery is an episode of fragmented public policymaking with few general oversights or accountability.