A competition based on chance in which numbered tickets are sold and prizes awarded to the holders of the winning numbers. The name is derived from the Italian lotto, which was first used in 1614 and means “fateful drawing” or “divine selection.” As with other games of chance, lottery plays are sometimes viewed as being dependent on luck rather than on skill.

The lottery is a major source of revenue for many state governments, and it enjoys broad public support in the form of large jackpots and massive advertising. However, its popularity and the nature of the proceeds it brings in have led to a variety of critics. These range from concerns about compulsive gambling to the regressive effect that it has on lower-income groups.

Historically, the argument that lottery proceeds are spent on public goods has been a powerful political force in winning public approval for the game. In an anti-tax era, the government can point to the fact that people are voluntarily spending their money on something that will benefit their communities and themselves. It has been a successful strategy, particularly in times of financial stress.

But that doesn’t mean that lotteries are a good idea for everyone. It is well documented that the vast majority of ticket buyers are from middle and upper income neighborhoods, with lower-income areas playing disproportionately less than their share of the total. It is also known that many players play with irrational and dangerous behavior, such as Abraham Shakespeare, who killed himself after winning a hefty $31 million; Jeffrey Dampier, who committed suicide after winning a comparatively tame $20 million; and Urooj Khan, who poisoned himself after winning a comparatively modest $1 million.