A lottery is a form of gambling in which numbers are drawn for prizes. The prizes are usually cash or goods and services. Prize amounts vary, as do the odds of winning. In the United States, state-sponsored lotteries are legal and operate under a variety of laws. Some are federally mandated, while others are regulated at the local or county level. A lottery may be supervised by the state or run by private organizations.

In the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries, when America was building a new nation, lotteries were a popular way to raise money for everything from roads to jails. They became particularly popular in the wake of wars, when demand for government services increased and taxation capacity was limited. Some famous American leaders, including Thomas Jefferson and Benjamin Franklin, used lotteries to raise funds for their political activities.

While supporters tout the lottery as an easy way to raise money for states without raising taxes, opponents criticize it as dishonest, unseemly, and regressive. They argue that the social and administrative costs of running a lottery are essentially a regressive tax on the poor.

While many people buy tickets for the sole purpose of winning a big jackpot, others do it as part of their civic duty to support their state government. Most states use their lottery revenue for a variety of good causes, including education and public infrastructure. In fact, some states spend more than half their lottery revenue on education alone.