Lottery is a form of gambling in which prizes are awarded by drawing lots. While making decisions and determining fates by casting lots has a long history (including several examples in the Bible), the lottery as a method of raising money for material ends is quite modern: it dates back only to the 17th century, when it became commonplace in the Netherlands to organize such draws to raise money for a variety of public usages. It was then hailed as a very popular and painless form of taxation. The English word derives from the Dutch noun lot, meaning “fate” or “assignment.”

Lotteries are characterized by very high prize amounts, usually in the millions of dollars, and very low odds of winning (1 in 134). Unlike some other forms of gambling, winning the lottery requires only one ticket. Nevertheless, revenues typically expand dramatically after a lottery is introduced and then level off or even decline; consequently, the industry continually introduces new games in an attempt to maintain and increase revenue.

Many critics contend that promoting gambling undermines the state’s ability to raise needed revenue for its other functions and is at odds with its obligation to protect the welfare of its citizens. Further, they allege that lotteries promote addictive gambling behavior and impose a large regressive burden on lower-income groups. Others argue that the promotion of lotteries undermines the biblical injunction that wealth is gained through diligent work (Proverbs 23:5).