Lottery is a game in which people try to win a prize by drawing lots. The prizes may be money or goods. People usually play lotteries for fun, but some people make a living from winning. Lotteries are regulated by the state government. There are a variety of ways to play, including online.

In the United States, each state has its own lottery, and each state sets the rules for playing. State governments also establish a lottery division to operate the games. These departments select retailers, train them to use lottery terminals and sell tickets, pay the high-tier prizes, and ensure that retailers and players comply with state laws.

The first recorded lotteries were held during the Roman Empire, mainly as a form of entertainment at dinner parties. Each guest would receive a ticket and the prizes were often fancy items such as dinnerware. This type of lottery was very different from modern lotteries, however. Modern lotteries are based on probability and the prize fund can vary greatly depending on how many tickets are sold.

After World War II, state lotteries re-appeared throughout the world. They were hailed as a way for states to expand their services without increasing taxes on the middle class and working class. Today, Americans spend about $80 billion on lotteries each year, which is a huge amount of money for a country that desperately needs more emergency savings and a better safety net for the middle class.