Whether you’re buying tickets for the Powerball, your state lottery game, or even an instant scratch-off ticket, it’s easy to do on your phone or computer. You can use a mobile app to purchase your lottery tickets from anywhere you are, including at work or your child’s sporting events. You can also sign up for Smart Order, which automates your lottery ticket purchases each month.

Lottery has long been a popular form of gambling. In fact, it was one of the few consumer products whose spending held steady or even increased during the recession. But its enduring popularity masks serious problems. The first is the question of how much money lottery games really generate for their states. The answer depends on a variety of factors, but it’s generally believed that most of the money is spent on the games themselves rather than on their prizes.

The second issue is the potential for negative social impact. Some critics believe that lotteries disproportionately target lower-income individuals who are more likely to spend money on tickets despite the low odds, exacerbating existing inequalities. Others fear that the lottery dangles the false promise of quick riches, encouraging people to spend more than they can afford to lose.

Finally, some worry that lottery games are too heavily promoted and that the resulting publicity may undermine public support for gambling. Some have also questioned whether it is appropriate for the state to be in the business of promoting gambling, especially when that promotion has been linked to problem gambling.