The lottery is a popular form of gambling that involves drawing numbers for prizes. It is a common way to raise money for public purposes. The odds of winning a lottery prize can vary widely, depending on how many tickets are sold and the size of the jackpot. Many people try to increase their chances of winning by using strategies such as buying multiple tickets, purchasing tickets at a certain time of day, or purchasing tickets from specific retailers.

People who play the lottery often do so in hopes of becoming wealthy. Some states run lotteries for a variety of different purposes, including education, healthcare, and social welfare programs. The prize money can range from small sums to large amounts of cash or goods. Many state lotteries have a specific rules and regulations that must be followed by players, as well as a legal framework for awarding prizes.

Lottery may also refer to:

A system for allocating limited resources, such as housing units or kindergarten placements, by chance. It can also refer to: