Lottery is a form of public distribution of prizes or goods that relies on chance. The casting of lots to determine fates has a long history in human society, including biblical examples and Roman emperors giving away property and slaves by lottery during Saturnalian feasts. Privately organized lotteries also are common in the United States, especially during colonial times when they financed buildings at Harvard, Yale, and other universities. State lotteries also are a popular and convenient form of taxation.

The argument that proceeds from the lottery benefit a specific public good—such as education—is a potent appeal. It has helped to win broad public support for state-sponsored lotteries in the face of regressive taxes and other budget cuts. It has also worked as a countervailing force against those who argue that state-run lotteries are just another form of gambling, and that the money raised from them should be redirected to social services.

But, the fact remains that state lotteries produce a relatively small share of overall state revenue. And, while some people do win the jackpot, there is no evidence that playing a lottery increases your odds of winning. In fact, the probability that a particular lottery number will be drawn is independent of how many tickets you buy or how often you play. The most successful players are those who diversify their number choices and avoid limiting themselves to numbers confined to one group or ones that end in similar digits.