A gambling game or method of raising money in which tickets are sold and a drawing is held for prizes. The word lottery may also refer to something whose outcome appears to be determined by chance: Life is a lottery.

Lotteries are popular in many states and the public has a generally positive view of them. The popularity of the games is often associated with the fact that proceeds are earmarked for specific public purposes. This argument is particularly effective when state governments face a fiscal crisis, because it suggests that the lottery will help to offset cuts or increases in other programs. Lottery revenues are typically highly volatile, however, and once they begin to level off, it becomes difficult for the state government to maintain interest in the game.

Despite this, the games enjoy broad social support and are a major source of revenue in the United States. Nevertheless, there is a great deal of variation in participation by socio-economic group: men play more often than women; whites play more frequently than blacks or Hispanics; and the young and old play less than those in the middle age range. The poor, on the other hand, are more likely than those in the higher income groups to avoid gambling altogether. In addition, they are more likely to be employed in occupations with low wages and fewer benefits. These factors contribute to the wide disparity in playing levels among the different socio-economic groups.