Lottery is a game in which tickets are sold for the chance to win a prize, such as money or goods. Lotteries have long been a popular method of raising money for public purposes, such as building town fortifications or helping the poor. They are also a common form of entertainment at social gatherings. The word lottery is believed to be derived from the Middle Dutch lotinge, or “action of drawing lots,” and it appears in print for the first time in English in 1569.

Government officials arguing in favor of lotteries often emphasize their value as a source of “painless” revenue, in contrast to the more regressive taxes that state governments normally levie on their citizens. But critics argue that state governments are too heavily dependent on these lottery revenues, and that the promotion of gambling is at cross-purposes with the public interest.

For example, the lottery tends to encourage a proliferation of small, unprofitable games with large jackpots. This creates a vicious circle in which each new game increases the chances of winning, but it also reduces the number of people who will purchase tickets. Moreover, many of those who buy tickets are not wealthy enough to make significant contributions to state budgets, and in fact tend to spend less as their incomes rise.

In addition, the way the lottery is run is a classic case of public policy made piecemeal and incrementally, with the result that there is no overall state gambling or lottery policy. Instead, the public is left with a state lottery that is constantly evolving, and officials are pressured to increase its profits.