A lottery is a game in which tokens are distributed or sold and the winners are selected by lot, usually sponsored by a government as a means of raising funds. The tokens are often numbered and each participant has an equal chance of winning. The practice of drawing lots to determine distributions or prizes is ancient; the Old Testament instructed Moses to take a census and divide land by lot, while Roman emperors used lotteries to give away property and slaves.

In the modern world, lottery games are common and can take many forms. The most familiar are financial lotteries, in which participants pay a small sum of money for the chance to win a large prize. In other settings, people use the lottery to select recipients of aid or services, such as units in a subsidized housing block or kindergarten placements. Sports teams use the lottery to choose draft picks, and a number of other organizations hold lotteries for jobs or public service positions.

Lottery is a form of gambling and can be addictive, but the money raised from ticket sales often goes to good causes in the community. It is difficult to account for the purchase of lottery tickets in decision models based on expected value maximization, as tickets cost more than the potential prize, but the choice to buy can be explained by risk-seeking behavior and other factors. In addition to funding public services, the proceeds from the lottery can also provide a small thrill for players and help them escape the drudgery of everyday life.