Lottery is a form of gambling wherein numbers or symbols are drawn at random to determine ownership or other rights. It has long been an important source of revenue for public projects, and is the most prominent form of gambling in American life. Its roots reach back centuries, with biblical references to drawing lots for property and slaves. It became popular in Europe during the fifteenth and sixteenth centuries, when towns used it to raise funds for wall construction and fortifications. King James I of England brought the lottery to America in 1612.
State lotteries have evolved in a similar pattern: the government legislates a monopoly for itself; establishes an agency or public corporation to run it; starts with a small number of games; and, because of constant pressure for additional revenues, progressively expands its scope and complexity, especially by introducing new games. There are currently 44 states that offer a state-run lottery, plus the District of Columbia. The six that do not are Alabama, Alaska, Hawaii, Mississippi, Utah, and Nevada — all of which have religious objections; or because they already have their own forms of gambling, such as casinos.
Although the popularity of lotteries has increased, their success has not been without challenges. As a business enterprise focused on maximizing revenue, they have come at cross-purposes with the general public interest by promoting gambling and appealing to vulnerable populations (e.g., the poor and problem gamblers). This has raised concerns about the social cost of lottery, even if these effects are minimal.
