Lottery is a form of gambling in which numbers are drawn to win prizes. In modern times, state-sponsored lotteries are a common feature of many countries and a major source of revenue. Although the precise rules vary, the basic pattern is similar: a government legislates a monopoly; establishes a state agency or public corporation to run the lottery (as opposed to licensing private firms in return for a share of profits); begins operations with a small number of relatively simple games; and, under pressure from demand, progressively expands the range of available offerings.
When the earliest state-sponsored lotteries began in the Low Countries in the 15th century, they were designed to raise money for town fortifications and to help the poor. Later, they helped to finance canals and roads, the construction of churches, colleges, and other institutions. The colonial American states, for example, used lotteries to finance the creation of Harvard, Yale, Dartmouth, Princeton, and Columbia Universities.
In the modern world, lotteries are a major form of gambling, and they contribute billions to the economy each year. While the vast majority of players play for fun and enjoy the chance to dream about their potential wealth, a minority believe they have discovered strategies that can turn the odds into their favor. The best-known of these, Lustig’s method, has produced seven grand prize winners in just two decades of dedicated play. In this article, we examine the evidence on the success of his approach and ask whether it is appropriate for a state to promote an activity that can lead to negative consequences for the poor and problem gamblers.
