A lottery is a game in which people have the chance to win a prize, such as money or goods, by choosing numbers or symbols. In the United States, lotteries are regulated by federal and state law. Federal laws prohibit the mailing and transportation of lottery tickets in interstate commerce, while state law regulates the sale of lotteries and their advertising. The lottery is a popular form of gambling that has gained widespread acceptance in the U.S. It is a method of raising funds for various public or charitable purposes, and it can also be used to select sports team rosters.

The lottery is a powerful example of how tradition can persist despite being ridiculed, even as opinions about it change and evolve. Jackson uses the lottery to illustrate the power of mob mentality and societal conformity, as well as the human capacity for cruelty and brutality.

The modern era of state lotteries began in New Hampshire in 1964, and it quickly spread throughout the Northeast and then to the West. Despite negative initial reactions and continuing concerns about gambling addiction, lotteries have become increasingly popular as a way to fund schools, hospitals, and other government programs without raising taxes. The popularity of the lottery has encouraged other forms of gambling, such as keno and video poker, to emerge. Moreover, it has spawned numerous special constituencies, such as convenience store operators who sell the tickets; lottery suppliers (heavy contributions to state political campaigns are routinely reported); teachers (in those states that earmark some of the proceeds for education); and the general public.