Lottery is a form of gambling in which prizes are awarded by chance, usually cash or goods. It is usually regulated by state authorities to ensure fairness and legality. Prizes may vary from small items to large sums of money. The outcome of a lottery is not influenced by skill or strategy and participants are generally required to pay a nominal entry fee.

The term “lottery” probably derives from the Dutch word lot (“fate”) or perhaps from the French word loterie, itself a calque on Middle Dutch lotinge (action of drawing lots). The first European state-sponsored lotteries began in 15th-century Burgundy and Flanders with towns attempting to raise funds for fortifications or the poor. Francis I of France introduced the first national lot, the Loterie Royale, in the late 1500s.

In the US, state-run lotteries are very popular with the general public, who often participate despite the fact that they know their chances of winning are low. Nevertheless, the money raised by state lotteries supports many projects, including education and infrastructure, making them an attractive method for raising funds.

Despite the popularity of lotteries, some people believe that they prey on the economically disadvantaged. They argue that these individuals are less likely to be able to afford to spend even a small amount of money on a ticket and therefore have a greater disutility from losing. However, others point out that the entertainment value or other non-monetary benefits of participating in a lottery may outweigh the monetary risk.