Lottery, also called the lot or the draw, is a form of gambling in which numbers are drawn for prizes. The practice of making decisions and determining fates by drawing lots has a long history in human culture (including several instances in the Bible). It was popular for giving away property and slaves at Saturnalian feasts in ancient Rome. It was also an important component of the apophoreta, a popular dinner entertainment at which guests drew lots for various gifts and prizes to be carried home after the meal.
State-sponsored lotteries are relatively new in American life, but they have gained wide popularity. They have been hailed as painless forms of revenue, and politicians rely on them to increase their political leverage with voters by offering more spending for the public good. They typically win broad public approval, even during periods of economic stress because they are able to promise a specific benefit, such as education, that is supposedly a greater priority than raising taxes or cutting other state programs.
Once established, state lotteries evolve rapidly, and their officials face the daunting task of balancing the interests of their different constituencies. Lottery officials must court convenience store owners; lottery suppliers (who often contribute heavily to state political campaigns); teachers (since lotteries generate large revenues for education); and, not least, state legislators (since they depend on lotteries for their budgets). All these interest groups have competing priorities. The result is that the overall public welfare is frequently overlooked as lotteries become increasingly specialized and complex.