Lottery is a game in which tokens are sold or distributed, and prizes awarded in the form of chance. It is also any scheme for distributing something that depends on chance, such as a contest in which participants choose tokens from among those available, or the distribution of land by lot. It is often used in a figurative sense to refer to anything whose outcome appears to depend on chance, such as “Life’s a lottery.”
The word derives from the Latin sortilegij, drawing lots. Historically, a number of types of lotteries have been used to raise money for public charitable and private purposes, from building the British Museum to settling land disputes. State governments have regulated many of these lotteries.
A modern lottery usually involves paying a small amount of money for a ticket that gives the purchaser a chance to win a prize. It can be played online or in person, and prizes can include cash, goods, services, property, or even a sports team. Most states offer at least one lottery. In some, a broader range of games is available, such as keno or video poker. Lotteries are generally regarded as legal and ethical when they comply with the laws of the jurisdiction in which they are established. They have a strong public support and are considered to be effective sources of revenue. Lottery revenues are also a significant source of income for convenience stores, suppliers of lottery equipment and supplies, and teachers in states in which some of the profits are earmarked for education.