Lottery is a low-odds game of chance in which winners are selected by drawing lots. Traditionally, the prize is money, but other prizes may also be awarded, such as real estate or cars. Lotteries are widely used as a means of raising funds and are often administered by government agencies.

The history of lottery games goes back centuries, but they became a popular form of public finance in colonial America. The Continental Congress voted to establish a national lottery in 1776, but this was abandoned. But the colonists continued to hold local lotteries, mainly as mechanisms for obtaining “voluntary taxes.” These lotteries helped fund colleges, roads, canals, bridges and other infrastructure projects. They also contributed to the founding of Harvard, Dartmouth, Yale, King’s College (now Columbia) and other universities.

Where Do Lottery Prizes Come From?

In the US, state lotteries take in about 50%-60% of ticket sales, with most of the rest going toward administrative and vendor costs. Some of it goes into the prize pool; in others, it is allocated to various state programs.

When someone wins a big jackpot, it is usually paid out over 30 years as an annuity. Each annual payment is 5% of the winning sum. There’s a good reason why experts recommend that large winners hire a wealth manager as soon as they win—the huge payout comes with a lot of financial responsibilities, and there are no guarantees.