A decision or fate determined by casting lots has a long record in human history—Moses was instructed to divide the land of Israel by such means in the Bible, and Roman emperors used it to give away property and slaves during Saturnalian feasts. But the lottery, in which tickets are purchased for a chance to win a prize that is not money but something else, is a much more recent development. The first recorded public lotteries took place in 15th-century Burgundy and Flanders, as towns sought to raise funds for town fortifications or to help the poor. Francis I of France is credited with authorizing the establishment of a number of these lotteries in his kingdom in the 16th century.
The early era of state lotteries saw broad public support—six out of 10 adults reported playing the games in one survey. But state legislators and their appointed agencies quickly shifted the lottery’s focus from its original purpose to generating more revenue. Lottery advertising became more aggressive, and new games like keno and video poker were added.
Whether they play the lottery regularly or occasionally, most people go into it clear-eyed about the odds. They understand that their chances of winning are long, and they know that if they don’t win, they will probably have to split the prize with anyone who has the same numbers as them. This, they believe, makes the exercise worthwhile. But what they don’t realize is that, even though the odds of winning are long, they can still get taken in by lottery advertising.