In the broad sense, a lottery is a scheme for the distribution of money or goods by chance. It is a form of gambling, and it may be conducted by state governments, private organizations, or other groups authorized by law. Most states regulate the lottery, and in some cases prohibit it altogether. Lottery prizes can be cash or goods, and many states require the lottery operator to set a minimum prize level. In some cases, the lottery organizer sets a maximum prize amount, or a fixed percentage of total receipts. The term lottery is also used to describe the distribution of prizes in an event whose outcome is determined by luck, such as a sports game or horse race.

Modern state lotteries have a long history. They were first introduced in the 16th century, and a large proportion of today’s 37 operating lotteries were established in the 20th century. New Hampshire launched the first modern state lottery in 1964, and its success inspired others. Today, a lottery is one of the most common forms of recreational gambling in the United States, and it is also among the most popular.

The basic argument for a state lottery is that it is a source of “painless” revenue, that is, players voluntarily spend money for the benefit of a particular public purpose, without the political pain of increasing taxes or cutting spending in other areas. This argument has proved effective, and the lottery is a popular choice for many voters in times of economic stress, when state budgets come under pressure and there is a fear that public programs will suffer. However, the success of the lottery in winning and maintaining broad public support does not appear to depend on a state’s actual fiscal condition, and in fact, lottery revenues have grown even when the economy is strong.

Despite the popularity of lotteries, they generate criticism for many reasons, including their effects on poor people and problem gamblers, their promotion of gambling, and the way in which they are run as businesses. Lotteries are, after all, a form of government subsidy, and critics have been concerned that they are not only promoting gambling but that the government is running it at cross-purposes with the interests of the public.

The success of the lottery has created many specific constituencies, from convenience store owners (the primary vendors for lotteries) to suppliers (heavy contributions to state political campaigns are often reported) and teachers, in those states that earmark lottery proceeds for education. Moreover, the success of a lottery has been associated with a range of social and cultural changes, such as increased income inequality, more polarized politics, and changing attitudes toward the role of chance in human life. These factors are likely to continue to shape the future of lottery legislation and its operations. They also have the potential to increase the intensity of the debate over whether or not state governments should be in the business of promoting vice.