A lottery is a form of gambling in which participants purchase a ticket and win a prize if the numbers they select match those randomly drawn. Lotteries are typically run by state governments and have been around for centuries. Some examples of the types of prizes offered in lotteries include cash, goods, and services. Many people play lotteries to have a chance at winning a big jackpot, which they can use for whatever purpose they desire. Some states have even used lottery profits to fund public works projects, such as road construction and libraries.

The first recorded lotteries occurred in the Low Countries in the 15th century, where towns raised funds for town fortifications and to help the poor. In the early years of colonial America, lotteries played a large role in the financing of private and public ventures, including roads, canals, churches, schools, colleges, and other institutions. The founding of Princeton and Columbia Universities, for example, was financed by lotteries. In addition, lotteries were used to finance colonial militia and local wars.

Currently, most lotteries sell tickets at retailers, which range from convenience stores to gas stations, supermarkets, and newsstands. Lottery retailers are typically licensed by the state in which they operate and are required to abide by a number of regulations, including minimum ticket prices and maximum sales volume. Retailers are often supplied with demographic data by lottery officials in order to optimize merchandising and advertising. According to NASPL, there were about 186,000 retailers selling lottery tickets in 2003.