Lottery is a form of gambling in which people pay to participate and hope that they will win a prize, typically money. People also use the lottery to determine such things as sports team placements, housing unit allocations in a subsidized building block, or kindergarten placements. Although the state lottery is a form of gambling, it has broad public support and a high level of public approval. Many states have adopted it as a means of raising money for the poor, education, and other public uses.

State lotteries are characterized by a number of distinct features. They are established by laws that grant them a state monopoly; they are run by state agencies or by public corporations licensed to operate them, rather than by private firms in return for a share of the profits; and they tend to grow systematically and rapidly after they are introduced. State officials promote the lottery by convincing people that it is a good way to raise money for important needs.

Lottery advertising frequently implies that the prizes will cure social problems and improve the lives of those who buy tickets. This is a clear violation of the biblical commandment to not covet money or anything that money can buy (Exodus 20:17; Ecclesiastes 5:10). It is also a distortion of the lottery’s true function, which is to provide the public with a means to enjoy the chance to acquire wealth. Despite these flaws, most state lotteries continue to receive widespread public support.