A lottery is a form of gambling in which numbers are drawn for prizes. It is most often associated with state-sponsored games of chance that award cash prizes to participants. These games are often marketed as a way to raise money for public use without undue taxation.

The word is probably derived from Dutch loterie, from Middle Dutch lootje (a diminutive of lot “fate”, or perhaps from Old Dutch hlot “portion, share”), and perhaps via Germanic (compare Old English hlot, helt, Old Frisian lotta) hlot “lot, portion” (see also hlot). The first lottery was held in the Netherlands in 1612 as part of a public fundraising scheme to build schools. Public lotteries became very popular in the 17th century and were widely viewed as a painless form of taxation.

Many people purchase lottery tickets because they enjoy the thrill of the possible winnings. But buying tickets also costs money they could have saved, or spent on other things. Even small purchases can add up to thousands of dollars in foregone savings over the long run. People who spend billions on lottery tickets as a group contribute millions in foregone government revenue, which may help fund programs they support.

Lottery commissions rely on several messages to persuade people to play. One is that lottery play is a “good” activity, because it is helping states and/or the children. This message ignores the regressivity of lotteries and their reliance on wealthy individuals, but it is a powerful marketing tool that is difficult to dispel.