a gambling game or method of raising money for public charitable purposes in which tickets are sold and prizes are awarded by chance. It is a form of gambling that relies entirely on chance, so its proponents argue that it does not increase the risk of problem gambling, and that it helps finance public services.

The lottery has gained broad popular support, and the vast majority of state voters approve it in referendums. It has also developed extensive, specific constituencies – convenience store operators (a significant part of the business); lottery suppliers, many of which make major contributions to state political campaigns; teachers (since most states use lottery revenues to fund education); state legislators (who become accustomed to the additional revenue stream); and others.

Lottery plays to a basic human impulse to dream, and the huge jackpots are seductive. It can feel like a way to change your life for the better, and many people do indeed use lottery winnings to get a new start.

But lottery marketing is also based on an appealing myth: that your chances of winning are much better than you think. It’s a fallacy, of course, but it is a powerful one. It leads to irrational behavior, including buying more tickets than you could afford, and a sense that you are doing your civic duty by supporting your local lottery. This is why lottery revenues tend to peak and then decline, prompting the introduction of new games in an attempt to sustain or even grow them.