The casting of lots to determine fates and material possessions has a long history (at least several cases appear in the Bible). But the lottery—where tickets are sold for a chance to win prize money—is much more recent. The earliest public lotteries in Europe were held during the rule of Augustus Caesar for municipal repairs, while the first to award prizes in the form of money are recorded in the Low Countries in the 15th century.
The lottery is a remarkably successful enterprise, and one that has been widely adopted in the United States. Once state governments establish a monopoly, they typically launch with a modest number of relatively simple games; and under pressure to increase revenues, they progressively expand their offerings. Lotteries are a popular revenue source for many reasons, but the primary one is that they sell the hope of instant riches in an age of inequality and limited social mobility.
In addition, state lotteries are a favorite source of funds for education and other public goods, with the result that they have won broad public approval. And, contrary to popular belief, they do not depend on a state’s fiscal health to enjoy such widespread support; they have enjoyed wide popularity even during times of prosperity. Despite such advantages, there is an ugly underbelly to the lottery that can be obscured by the fact that it primarily targets people who are poor, less educated, and nonwhite. Moreover, the advertising that promotes lotteries presents a picture that makes them seem fun and harmless.