Lottery is a game of chance in which numbers are drawn at random and winning prizes are awarded to people who correctly match them. It is a popular form of gambling, and most governments regulate it. A similar activity is a raffle, where people buy tickets and then draw names for prizes. The term lottery is also used to refer to state-sponsored games that award cash or goods in the hope of raising money for public projects.

The practice of making decisions and determining fates by drawing lots has a long history (including several instances in the Bible), but using them for material gain is relatively recent, with the first recorded lottery to offer tickets for sale with prize money being held in 1445 in Bruges, Belgium, to raise funds for building town fortifications. Later, it became a common feature of dinner entertainment at rich homes in the Low Countries and then, from the mid-17th century, of the American colonies, where it helped finance Harvard, Dartmouth, Yale, King’s College (now Columbia), Union, Brown, and many other colleges.

The success of modern state lotteries has been remarkable, and they have become a significant part of the country’s culture. But the popularity of the games has also generated considerable controversy, including a focus on how the lottery affects lower-income people. While most people accept that they are playing a game of chance, some argue that it carries an implicit promise of opportunity that may be unrealistic for many, particularly in a time of income inequality.