A lottery is a gambling game in which numbers are drawn for prizes. In the United States, state lotteries have a variety of games, including instant-win scratch-off tickets and daily games where players pick numbers from a pool. The prize amounts vary by game. Often, the larger the prize, the fewer numbers are needed to win. The first known lotteries were held in the Low Countries in the 15th century, to raise funds for wall building and town fortifications. Since then, many governments have introduced and regulated their lotteries.

Lotteries are a popular form of fundraising for public projects, from units in a subsidized housing block to kindergarten placements in a reputable school. In addition, they can fund sports stadiums, public art, and a wide array of other ventures. They are also one of the most addictive forms of gambling around, and they can wreak financial havoc on families and individuals. This is especially true for jackpots, which can grow to enormously newsworthy sums before they are awarded.

Despite their popularity, lotteries are subject to intense criticism over their regressive impact and the extent to which they promote risky habits. They are also criticized for causing people to believe that they are entitled to the large sums that they win. In response, lottery commissions now rely on two messages primarily. The first is that playing the lottery is a fun experience, and the second is that they raise money for state budgets.