Lottery is a form of gambling in which numbers are drawn to determine the winner. It is a popular way to win money in the United States, and Americans spend about $80 billion annually on lottery tickets. It is a form of gambling that is regulated by state governments. Unlike casino games, which are run by private entities and often have high house edges, the odds of winning a lottery game are known in advance.

The modern era of state lotteries began with New Hampshire in 1964, and many other states quickly adopted them. The lottery was viewed by many as an attractive alternative to more onerous forms of taxation, particularly in the face of growing economic inequality and a popular materialism that asserted that anyone could get rich through enough effort or luck.

In general, lotteries follow a predictable pattern: the state legislates a state-run monopoly; establishes an agency or public corporation to administer the lottery (as opposed to licensing a private firm in return for a cut of the profits); begins operations with a modest number of relatively simple games; and then faces constant pressure to increase revenues by progressively expanding the lottery’s portfolio of games.

While there is some variation in how lotteries are marketed, the basic message is always the same: “You can’t win unless you play.” As such, much of the criticism of lottery has been focused on its ability to promote addictive gambling behavior and on its alleged regressive effect on low-income individuals.