A lottery is a form of gambling in which players pay for tickets and try to match numbers drawn by machines. The more numbers a player matches, the higher the prize. Lottery games are popular in the United States, and most state governments operate their own lotteries.

Advocates argue that lottery revenues are a painless alternative to raising taxes and cutting public programs. They argue that state governments can use the proceeds to support a wide range of public purposes, such as education and social welfare programs. This argument is particularly effective during times of economic stress, when citizens fear tax increases or budget cuts.

Critics point out that the lottery promotes addictive gambling behavior, imposes a large regressive tax on lower-income groups, and leads to other abuses. They also contend that the state’s interest in increasing revenue conflicts with its duty to protect the public welfare.

The first modern state-sponsored lotteries appeared in the United States in 1964, and the term “lottery” was likely borrowed from Middle Dutch loterie, a diminutive of Old French loterie or lotterie, meaning “action of drawing lots.” The first lottery game, called a Loterie Royale, was held in France in 1539.