Lottery is a game of chance in which winning or losing depends on the drawing of numbers. In the earliest cases, the drawing of lots was used to determine ownership or other rights in property, and the practice has become a common method for raising money for public and private ventures, including towns, wars, colleges, and public-works projects. State governments have largely controlled the operation of lotteries, and the profits have been allocated to various purposes.

In order to conduct a lottery, there must be some way of recording the identities of the bettors and their stakes. Usually this is done by means of a ticket that the bettor writes his name on and deposits with the lottery organization for later shuffling and selection in the drawing. Many modern lotteries use computers to record each bettors’ numbers and other information. Various systems of selling tickets are also in use, including sales by mail and at retail outlets such as gas stations, service stations, restaurants and bars, convenience stores, and newsstands.

The number of retailers offering lottery services varies greatly across the United States. Almost all states sell their lotteries through authorized outlets, but the vast majority of purchases are made in local businesses, such as grocery and drug stores. According to the National Association of State Lottery Directors (NASPL), in 2003, there were 186,000 outlets selling lottery tickets. These include retail stores, gas stations, nonprofit organizations such as churches and fraternal organizations, restaurant-bar chains, and even bowling alleys.