Lottery is a game in which people purchase tickets for a chance to win prizes that range from cash to goods or services. In modern societies, lotteries are run by governmental bodies or private corporations licensed by governments. They are typically held to raise money for public projects such as building schools, roads or hospitals. In the United States, the first state-run lotteries were launched at the outset of the Revolutionary War to fund the Continental Army. The popularity of these games exploded after the war, and today nearly all states operate some form of lottery.

Lotteries are a popular source of public funds, but critics argue that the money they raise is unfairly distributed. They point out that the winners of large jackpots tend to be wealthy people who already have plenty of money, while those who buy a small number of tickets have little chance of winning. They also claim that lotteries encourage gambling addiction and contribute to societal problems such as poverty, domestic violence and child abuse.

Despite these concerns, many people enjoy participating in a lottery. In fact, it is estimated that about 60 percent of adults in states that have lotteries play them at least once a year. But there is debate over whether or not these state-run games promote social welfare by boosting education, fighting crime and other worthy goals. The debate is complicated by the fact that lotteries are often run as a business with a focus on maximizing profits, and advertising frequently emphasizes the potential for big wins.