A lottery is a contest in which tokens are distributed or sold and the winner, or winners, are chosen by lot. The prizes vary but are usually cash or goods, with the value of the prize or prizes determined by the number and variety of tickets purchased. Lotteries can be state-run or privately sponsored, and they may be used to raise money for a public purpose.

The earliest known lotteries offered tickets for sale and prizes in the form of money. They were first recorded in the Low Countries in the 15th century, where they were often used to fund town fortifications and to help the poor. Francis I of France introduced the lottery to his kingdom in the 16th century. During the American Revolution, many of the colonies employed them to finance local and national projects. In 1745 Benjamin Franklin held a lottery to fund the purchase of cannons for Philadelphia, and George Washington promoted the Mountain Road Lottery in 1768.

Many states offer state-sponsored lotteries, with the proceeds from ticket sales earmarked for a specific purpose. In the past, these purposes included building roads and canals, providing schools, hospitals, and other public services, and even funding wars. Today, most states use lottery funds for education.

While the odds of winning a lottery are extremely low, some people continue to play them. Those who continue to buy tickets have an ugly underbelly: a deep-seated belief that the long shot they’re taking will finally change their lives for the better.