A lottery is a game in which numbers or other symbols are drawn at random and the prize money awarded accordingly. Modern lotteries are typically organized so that a percentage of the proceeds are donated to charity. Although this arrangement is a form of gambling, it has other uses, including military conscription, commercial promotions in which property is given away by chance, and the selection of members of a jury. The concept of a lottery dates back centuries. The Hebrew Bible instructs Moses to divide the people of Israel by lot, and Roman emperors used the lottery to give away land and enslaved people.

In the United States, lottery proceeds are used to support education and other public programs that would otherwise be subject to taxation. However, winners of a lottery are often tempted to spend their winnings immediately and end up worse off than they were before. There are also cases of winners who are unable to manage their money and fall into debt.

The first lottery games with tickets for sale and prizes in the form of money appeared in the Low Countries in the 15th century, with towns raising funds to build town fortifications and help the poor. The first French state-sponsored lottery was established by Francis I with the edict of Chateaurenard in 1539. The modern lottery is a widespread activity and is popular with the general public. It is estimated that over one billion tickets are sold each year worldwide.