A lottery is a form of gambling in which tickets are sold for a chance to win a prize. It is sometimes used in other ways, such as for military conscription or to select members of a jury. People also use the term to refer to any event whose outcome depends on luck or chance: They considered combat duty to be a kind of lottery.

Lotteries have been around for centuries, with the earliest evidence of state-sponsored ones in the Low Countries in the 15th century. In these, prizes were cash or goods. More recently, they’ve been based on a percentage of the total receipts.

While the state-sponsored type of lottery is the most common, private lotteries are also a popular way for people to raise money. Some are run by non-profits and some are conducted as promotions for specific products or services.

In the United States, the states regulate lotteries and are responsible for selecting retailers, training their employees to use lottery terminals, and verifying that the retailer is complying with state laws. State lottery divisions also promote the games, offer high-tier prizes, and help retailers to sell tickets and redeem winnings.

Many people buy lottery tickets with the idea that they’re doing a good thing for their community by supporting the schools or public works that benefit from the proceeds. But it’s important to remember that those dollars aren’t always well spent. In fact, they’re a poor substitute for tax revenue.