In a lottery, a player pays for a ticket and hopes to win a prize if any of the numbers they select match those randomly spit out by a machine. This game, and its variants, have a long history, dating back to at least the Han dynasty in China (205–187 BC). The word comes from Latin loterie, which may be derived from the Middle Dutch word looterie or the Old English leweore (leweore means “blessed”).

Many modern lotteries allow players to choose their own numbers or let machines randomly spit out numbers. Those who select their own numbers are usually required to indicate them on a playslip. If they don’t, the computer will pick them for them. Many people like to play numbers that have sentimental value to them, such as their children’s birthdays or ages, but Harvard statistics professor Mark Glickman warns against this strategy. He says you have a better chance of winning the lottery by selecting random numbers or buying Quick Picks, which include all possible combinations.

The main argument for state-sponsored lotteries is that the proceeds are a painless source of revenue and help with particular public goods, such as education. This message is especially effective during times of economic stress, when the prospect of tax increases or cuts to public programs may loom large. However, studies have shown that the public’s approval of lotteries is not connected to a state’s actual fiscal condition.