The lottery is a process of distributing something, whether it be a prize or the opportunity to compete in an event, by chance. It is used in a variety of ways, including deciding who gets into kindergarten or a reputable school or who occupies units in a subsidized housing block. It can also be used to select participants for a drug trial or who receives a vaccine for a dangerous illness.
Lottery is a popular pastime in the United States, with 60% of adults reporting playing it at least once a year. While the state governments that run these games may view them as a way to increase revenue without raising taxes, they have also become dependent on the money they bring in and are constantly under pressure to grow their profits.
In addition to the large general public, there are extensive specific constituencies of lottery players, including convenience store operators (lottery revenues have a tendency to flow into their businesses); lottery suppliers (heavy contributions to state political campaigns are frequently reported); teachers (especially in those states that use lottery revenue for education); and state legislators (who quickly get accustomed to the extra cash).
People play lotteries for many reasons, not the least of which is an inextricable human urge to gamble. But there’s a whole lot more going on with these games, and it involves dangling the promise of instant riches in an era of inequality and limited social mobility.