Lottery is a type of gambling where people pay a small sum to have the chance to win something bigger, usually money or goods. People can also use the word to refer to a contest in which they have the opportunity to be selected as part of an important group, such as an army recruiting pool or room assignments in a dormitory. Federal statutes prohibit mailing and shipping in interstate or foreign commerce promotional materials for lotteries, and distributing them by mail or over the phone is illegal in many states.

People can find a number of reasons for playing the lottery, including the excitement of dreaming about a fortune at a cost of a few bucks. But it’s important to remember that studies show that those with low incomes make up a disproportionate share of lottery players, which can be a serious budget drain on families. And even when they win, those with lower incomes have to spend more of their winnings on taxes.

The earliest state-sponsored lotteries began in the Low Countries in the 15th century. These raised money for town fortifications and to help the poor, and were advertised in public squares with a variety of prizes, including land and slaves. George Washington even sponsored a private lottery in 1768 to alleviate his crushing debts, and tickets bearing his signature became collectors’ items. Today, state governments often promote lotteries by stressing their role as a source of “painless” revenue: voters approve of them because they’re voluntary (rather than imposed by force) and the proceeds benefit specific public goods such as education.