While it might seem like a fad that’s born of the same culture that gave us Instagram and the Kardashians, the lottery is actually quite an old idea. In fact, it’s one of the oldest forms of gambling that exists. In its most basic form, a lottery is a game in which you pay an entry fee to have a chance to win a prize based on random luck.
In modern times, lottery games are usually organized by government-sponsored entities that offer a variety of different games to players. The games can range from simple scratch-off tickets to daily games that require you to pick the correct numbers. Some states even have national lotteries that offer huge jackpots that can change your life forever.
Lottery plays a central role in American history, from Benjamin Franklin’s 1748 drawing to raise money for the establishment of the first English colonies, to George Washington’s 1768 lottery to fund a road over the Blue Ridge Mountains (it failed). In the 18th century, lotteries were common in colonial America and helped finance paving streets, building wharves, and even establishing Harvard and Yale.
Today, 44 states and the District of Columbia have lotteries. And while there’s no shortage of articles warning about problem gambling and other negative consequences, few consider the bigger question of whether it makes sense for state governments to promote a business that runs at cross-purposes with the public interest.
