What is a Lottery?
A lottery is a type of gambling in which a prize is awarded to a winner. The prize may be a sum of money or a property. The winning numbers are determined by a drawing, usually with the help of computers.
Often, a percentage of the proceeds goes to good causes.
In the United States, for example, a state-run lottery raises money to help people with their medical bills and other expenses. Lottery winners must pay taxes on their winnings.
The first recorded public lotteries were held in the Low Countries in the 15th century. They were organized to raise funds for town fortifications and to help the poor.
The earliest state lotteries in the United States, however, did not begin until the 17th century. They were a result of widespread dissatisfaction with taxation.