A lottery is a form of gambling in which people pay a small amount for the chance to win a prize, such as money or goods. Federal statutes prohibit the mailing in interstate or foreign commerce of promotions for lotteries and the sending of tickets themselves. The word lottery derives from Middle Dutch lotinge, from the action of drawing lots for something (as in military conscription or commercial promotions in which property is given away by random selection).
Most states and the District of Columbia have a lottery. The games vary, but the vast majority involve picking six numbers from a set of balls, each numbered 1 to 50 (though some have more or less). The odds against winning are very low and the prizes tend to be quite large. The popularity of lotteries is attributable to this combination: people are willing to risk a trifling sum in order to have a substantial chance of winning a considerable amount.
State lotteries develop extensive specific constituencies: convenience store operators (lotteries are their primary customers); suppliers of equipment and services for the operation of the lottery (heavy contributions to political campaigns are often reported); teachers in states where some portion of proceeds is earmarked for education; and state legislators, who quickly become dependent on these revenues. Despite these special interests, the public’s support for lotteries has been consistent and broad. Even during periods of economic stress, when it would be rational to cut spending on public programs, lotteries have risen in popularity.