Lottery is a game of chance in which numbered tokens are distributed or sold, and the winning ones are selected by drawing or matching. Prizes vary, but can include money, jewelry, automobiles, and other goods or services. Federal law prohibits the mail or interstate transportation of promotions for lottery games, but some states run their own lotteries.

While making decisions and determining fates by the casting of lots has a long history (it is even mentioned in the Bible), modern lotteries are relatively new. The first public lottery was held in Bruges, Belgium in 1466 for the purpose of awarding charitable donations. Public lotteries have gained popularity since then, and the percentage of state revenue that they provide is increasing.

Lotteries are popular in part because of their perceived connection to the public good. They are often defended by the claim that their proceeds benefit a specific public service, such as education. But this argument is weak, as studies show that the popularity of a lottery does not correlate with the objective fiscal health of its host state government.

Another reason is that people simply like to gamble. In a society in which social mobility is limited, a lottery can seem an attractive way to try to change one’s fortunes. Lotteries have also been criticized for their role in encouraging compulsive gambling, and for their regressive effects on poorer groups. However, the fundamental problem with lotteries is not their existence but rather how they are conducted and marketed.