Lottery is an activity in which a prize, money or goods are awarded through a random process. The casting of lots has a long history in human culture and is used in many different settings, including military conscription, commercial promotions in which property or slaves are given away, and the selection of jury members for trial. Modern state lotteries provide a common form of gambling and are generally considered to be an extension of government activities, although they have the characteristic feature of requiring payment for the chance to win.

While the overall odds of winning a lottery are low, people still play. There is a sense of optimism at the core of lottery behavior that says, “Well, you never know — a lot can change in one night.” This message has been coded into the way lotteries are promoted. While lottery commissions are no longer touting that winning is a possibility, they continue to promote the idea that the lottery is fun.

The recasting of the lottery as fun obscures the fact that, for many people, it isn’t a game they play lightly or infrequently. In fact, they spend a large proportion of their incomes buying tickets and the average ticket price is higher than in other forms of gambling. It is not surprising, then, that the majority of lottery players are from middle-class neighborhoods and far fewer come from low-income areas. In addition, the way state lotteries have evolved in recent decades has made them dependent on revenue from specific constituencies such as convenience store operators; suppliers (who contribute heavily to state political campaigns); teachers (in states where lottery revenues are earmarked for education); and legislators.