Lottery is a form of gambling whereby tickets are sold for a chance to win a prize. Prizes may be money or property. The word lottery is derived from the Italian noun lotto, meaning “fateful drawing.” Lotteries are generally considered to be legal, as long as payment of some kind (money or work) is required for a ticket. This distinction distinguishes them from other forms of gambling, like poker, where no payment is required for a ticket.

The first state-based lottery began in New Hampshire in 1964, and a number of other states quickly followed suit. Lottery advertising campaigns are typically based on two key messages: a promise of a big jackpot, and the message that proceeds from the lottery are being used for some specific public good. This latter argument is particularly effective in times of economic stress, when many people fear that state governments will have to cut back on government services or raise taxes. But studies have shown that the actual fiscal condition of a state does not appear to play a major role in whether or when a lottery is introduced.

Even in times of relative financial stability, lottery advertising still focuses on the size of the jackpot and promises that proceeds are going to help those in need. This message obscures the fact that the lottery is a form of gambling that rewards those with the most wealth, and obscures the regressive impact that the lottery has on lower-income groups.