Lottery is a system of awarding prizes, such as money or goods, by drawing lots. Lotteries are popular for raising funds for public projects such as roads, canals, bridges, schools, libraries, hospitals, and universities. They also raise funds for political campaigns and charitable causes. Many states have a state lottery. Others have local or regional lotteries. Some even have private lotteries that are not regulated by the state government.

The practice of distributing property or other items by lottery has roots in ancient history. The Old Testament instructs Moses to take a census of the Israelites and distribute land by lot, while Roman emperors used lotteries as entertainment at feasts or for other events. Lotteries were introduced in the United States by British colonists, and while initial reaction was largely negative, state governments quickly began to embrace them.

In modern times, the word lottery has come to refer to a specific game of chance, and while the general desirability of such games is widely accepted, there remains some controversy about how such arrangements should be conducted. In particular, there is concern that promoting the lottery promotes gambling and may have harmful consequences (e.g., targeting poorer individuals, attracting problem gamblers, etc.).

Lottery supporters point to the wide appeal of such games, which generate considerable revenue that can be used for public purposes and are relatively simple to administer. They also argue that lottery revenues help reduce state budget deficits and can be a way to supplement other tax sources without burdening the general population with additional taxes or cuts in essential services.