Lottery is a game in which people buy tickets and prizes are awarded based on chance selections, usually made through the drawing of lots. In some cases the prizes are money, but they can also be goods or services. A lottery is normally run by a government or a private organization as a way to raise funds for a particular project.

Lotteries have a long history, dating back to ancient times. The Chinese Han dynasty reportedly used them to fund major projects like the Great Wall. They are still used around the world to finance a wide range of public and charitable projects.

In colonial-era America, lotteries were used to fund a variety of private and public ventures, including roads, canals, schools, churches, and colleges. Benjamin Franklin organized a lottery to raise money for cannons to defend Philadelphia against the British, and George Washington ran a lottery in 1768 to build a road across the Blue Ridge Mountains.

While critics say that lotteries promote gambling and lead to addiction, they do help to fund a number of important projects. However, they are also criticized for having an inherent conflict in their goal to increase revenue and their duty to protect the public welfare.