Lottery is a game of chance in which numbers or symbols are drawn to determine winners of prizes, usually money. Historically, governments have used it to finance public works projects and other charitable activities. The word comes from the Middle Dutch lotje “drawing lots,” or perhaps from the French loterie “action of drawing lots.”

In modern times, state-sponsored lotteries have become very popular in much of the world, as an alternative to taxes that raise funds for government services. A common argument for a lottery is that it allows the state to raise money without the burden of collecting and administering a tax. This is a powerful and persuasive argument, especially in the antitax era, and it has prompted a great deal of state legislative support for lotteries.

Despite their broad popular support, lotteries have been subject to significant criticism. Critics allege that they promote addictive gambling behaviors, impose a regressive tax on poor people, and contribute to other social harms. They also point out that the state has no business promoting a vice, particularly one as harmful as gambling.

Lottery critics argue that the state’s interest in maximizing revenue conflicts with its responsibility to protect the public welfare. The state, they argue, must balance its desire for more revenue against its duty to protect the citizens and the environment. This conflict is heightened by the fact that the vast majority of state revenues come from a small number of games, and the rapid expansion of those games is often accompanied by increasing advertising spending.