Almost every state runs some sort of lottery, ranging from small games to multi-million dollar jackpots. People like to play them, and they do so for all kinds of reasons. Some people have a inextricable, hardwired urge to gamble, while others feel it is a way out of poverty or the need to overcome bad luck. Still others simply enjoy the thrill of a long shot.

The concept of determining property distribution by lot dates back centuries. The Old Testament instructs Moses to take a census of the Israelites and divide land among them by lot, while Roman emperors used lots as a way to give away property and slaves. The earliest modern public lotteries appeared in the 15th century, most likely in Burgundy and Flanders, as towns sought to raise money for town fortifications and aid the poor. Francis I of France established the first French lotteries in response to his experiences with them in Italy.

A typical lottery consists of a pool of prize amounts, from which the winners are selected by drawing lots. The total prize amount is typically the sum of all prizes won, though some lotteries use predetermined prize amounts that are based on ticket sales and other factors. The costs of the promotion, profits for the promoter and taxes or other revenues are deducted from the pool before the prize amount is awarded. A typical lottery is administered by a government agency. Private companies have also promoted and run lotteries.