Lottery is a form of gambling in which players pay a small sum to purchase a ticket and then hope that their numbers will match those randomly drawn by machines. It is a common source of revenue for state governments, and the money from it can be used in any number of ways, including addressing gambling addiction.

In the United States, most states and the District of Columbia now run a lottery. Many people who do not normally gamble buy tickets for these games. When a jackpot grows large, ticket sales surge.

Historically, lotteries have gained popularity for two reasons: They raise money for specific public goods such as schools or infrastructure projects, and they can be seen as a way to avoid higher taxes. This argument has been especially effective in times of economic stress, such as during the Great Recession, but it is also a compelling argument when a state government needs money quickly and without imposing new tax increases or cutting services.

Once a lottery is established, it typically takes on a life of its own and begins to generate controversy. Debates over whether or not it is a good idea shift from the general desirability of a lottery to more specific issues, such as its effect on compulsive gamblers and the regressive nature of its impact on lower-income communities. In addition, because lotteries are run like businesses with a focus on increasing revenues, they must constantly promote themselves, which can raise questions about the ethics of government sponsorship of a gambling enterprise.