A lottery is a form of gambling that distributes something, usually money or prizes, among a large group of people by chance. It is a popular activity, especially in the United States. It is also a method of raising money for public purposes and is often considered a “painless form” of taxation.

In the story, a group of villagers gathers in a town square to participate in the annual lottery. Initially, the children who have recently returned from summer break are the first to assemble; they assemble into small groups and begin to select stones. Soon, the men and women of the village begin to gather as well. As the narrator describes, they exhibit the stereotypical normality of small-town life, warmly gossiping and discussing work as they congregate.

Eventually, the black box is brought out and a boy from the Hutchinson family draws a number. Tessie’s fate, and the rest of the lottery, serves as a disturbing reminder that blind conformity can lead to oppressive systems and practices, and that progress and justice require openness to challenge injustice and cruelty.

When a state adopts a lottery, it typically legalizes it for sale to the general public; establishes a government agency or public corporation to run it; and establishes a system for selling tickets. It is then up to the people of the state to decide whether or not to play, and, if so, how much to spend. Historically, lotteries have been adopted and promoted in times of financial stress. However, studies show that the public’s approval of a lottery does not depend on the state’s actual fiscal health; it is more closely tied to the public’s perception of how the proceeds of a lottery are spent.