Lottery, in a broad sense, is any game of chance in which tokens are distributed to players for a prize, with the winning token or tokens being selected by a random drawing. The practice of determining the distribution of property or goods by lot dates back to ancient times, with Moses being instructed in the Old Testament to take a census and divide land among Israelites by lottery, and Roman emperors using the system for giving away property and slaves during Saturnalian feasts. The American Heritage Dictionary of the English Language notes that lotteries were also used in medieval Europe to distribute lands and other goods.

In modern times, state lotteries are a popular source of tax revenue, with proceeds often earmarked for public education or other specified purposes. But critics charge that state lottery policies are based on flawed logic, that the games are addictive and that they promote excessive gambling.

Despite this, the popularity of lotteries continues to grow, with more than half of all adults playing in some way. The popularity of the lottery has also been fueled by the growing economic stress in states, making it a useful alternative to raising taxes or cutting public programs. But studies have shown that the success of lotteries is not tied to a state’s objective fiscal situation, and that even in good economic times, they can win broad public approval.

State governments that adopt lotteries typically make several arguments in support of the new policy. These include the value of lotteries as sources of “painless” revenue, with players voluntarily spending money to benefit the public. They also tout the ability of lotteries to generate a large number of winners in relatively short periods of time.

But there are some serious flaws in these arguments, and a number of other reasons why lotteries should not be supported. For one, the fact that they appeal to an inexplicable human impulse to gamble carries some hidden costs, as do the advertising campaigns that pound the odds of winning to the point of nausea. The lottery industry argues that people just plain like to gamble, but this misses the fact that there is a dark underbelly to the activity that draws so many.

A major problem with the lottery is that it can be a regressive form of taxation, burdening those with lower incomes more than those with greater wealth. Another concern is that the lottery may divert attention and resources from more pressing problems, including education and health care. In addition, state lottery revenues can be volatile. They tend to expand rapidly upon their introduction and then level off and, in some cases, decline. This volatility has led to the frequent introduction of new games in an effort to maintain and increase revenues. This has been a particularly important issue in the current economy, with increasing state budget deficits generating intense pressure to increase state lottery sales.