A lottery is a game of chance that provides participants the opportunity to win a prize, normally a sum of money. It has been popularized in many cultures. It is a form of gambling that involves paying a small amount of money for the chance to win a larger sum of money, often administered by state governments. It is a common source of revenue for public services, including education, health care, and roadwork. It is a popular form of gambling, but has also been subject to controversy and criticism. Critics have cited its role in encouraging compulsive gambling, its alleged regressive impact on lower income groups, and its reliance on deceptive advertising.

Lottery is a complex institution that requires a large number of people to operate, from retailers who sell tickets to headquarters employees who help winners. Some of this work is done by volunteers, but much is performed by paid employees. Typically, the cost of running the lottery takes up about 25% of the total prize pool, leaving only about a third to be distributed as prizes. The remainder is needed for the expenses of organizing and promoting the lottery, as well as for administrative costs.

Most of the prize money comes back to the participating states, where it is usually used for educational purposes. But states may divert it to other causes, including enhancing roads and bridges, addressing budget shortfalls, or funding support centers for problem gamblers and gambling addiction recovery. In fact, studies show that state lotteries have won broad public approval even when the state government is in strong financial condition.