A lottery is a game of chance in which numbers are drawn at random to determine winners. Prizes are then awarded to the holders of those numbers, or their ticket. Lotteries have long played a role in decision-making situations, from sports team drafts to the allocation of scarce medical treatment, and they are also a popular form of gambling, encouraging participants to pay a small amount of money for a chance at winning a large sum of money. They are often administered by state governments, but may also be run by private organizations or charities.

In the United States, all state lotteries are legal monopolies that prohibit other commercial operations from competing with them. They are regulated by state laws, and profits are used to fund public programs. Many state lotteries have partnered with major brands to produce scratch-off games that feature products as the prizes. The popularity of these games has spurred innovations in the industry that have led to the rise of new types of lottery, including keno and video poker.

The drawing of lots to determine ownership or other rights has a long record in human history, and the practice of organizing a lottery for material goods is even older. It is a common way to finance public projects, and it has helped to raise funds for everything from the establishment of the first English colonies in America to construction of buildings at Harvard and Yale.