Lottery is a form of gambling where prizes are awarded by chance. Prizes can range from cash to goods and services. Many states now operate state lotteries. The modern era of state lotteries began with New Hampshire in 1964, and has since spread to all 50 states. The arguments for and against the adoption of a lottery are remarkably similar across states, as is the structure of the resulting state lottery: the government legislates a monopoly; establishes a public agency or corporation to run it; starts with a modest number of relatively simple games; and, due to constant pressure for additional revenues, progressively expands in size and complexity, particularly through the introduction of new games.
In the short term, lotteries can provide states with a substantial source of “painless” revenue—that is, money that people are willing to spend freely (as opposed to paying taxes) in exchange for the chance of winning a small prize. However, in the long run lottery revenues usually grow rapidly and then level off or even begin to decline. This leads to a constant search for ways to maintain or increase revenues, such as adding new games or increasing promotional efforts.
Those who play the lottery, even when they are clear-eyed about the odds, still covet the things that money can buy and believe that they will be better off if they win. This is a classic case of violating God’s commandment against covetousness (Exodus 20:17). Lotteries are one way that people attempt to satisfy this desire, but it is a futile endeavor.