The emergence of lotteries in Europe dates to the 15th century. The word comes from the Middle Dutch noun lot (“fate” or “chance”) and, according to some scholars, is a calque on the French noun loterie, itself derived from the verb to draw lots (to decide things by chance).

State governments sponsor and promote them as a means of raising money for certain public purposes such as education. Generally, they begin by legislating a monopoly for themselves; set up a government agency or public corporation to run the lottery; start with a small number of relatively simple games; and then, as pressure mounts for increased revenues, gradually add new games.

Despite the wide appeal of lotteries, they have their critics. Some argue that they encourage addictive gambling behavior and may lead to other forms of abuse; others assert that they divert attention from the responsibilities of government to protect the welfare of its citizens.

A common criticism is that the lottery distorts the distribution of wealth, since a majority of players and winnings come from middle-income areas. Others allege that the lottery is a regressive tax on lower-income households. Still others point to studies that show the poor participate in lotteries at disproportionately lower rates than their percentage of the population. The lottery dangles the hope of instant riches in an age of increasing inequality and limited social mobility, and it is difficult for people to resist the temptation.