Lottery is a game of chance where players try to match symbols or numbers to win prizes. Some lotteries are state-run and others are private. They can be played in person or on the Internet. Some have a fixed prize amount, while others have a progressive jackpot. Lottery is a popular source of entertainment, but it is not for everyone. It can cause addiction, and some people have trouble quitting. There are many ways to reduce your chances of winning, including setting limits on how much money you spend and avoiding gambling websites.

In the US, state lotteries operate under a federal charter. In the early 19th century, they were the main source of government revenue, but they are now a small part of the total tax base. Private lotteries are also legal in some states, but not all. In Canada, lottery play was illegal until 1967, when an amendment to the Criminal Code allowed provincial governments to run lotteries.

The largest national lottery in the world is operated by the Spanish state-owned Loterias y Apuestas del Estado, which distributes prizes to up to 180 winners. The prize pool is usually over EUR2.4 billion, and the jackpot has topped EUR10 billion. The company also operates the EuroMillions lottery for European customers, which offers a top prize of over EUR2 billion.

Lottery tickets are available in most countries and may be purchased online, at retail stores, or at kiosks. Many lotteries also offer instant games, such as keno and scratch cards. Some also have video lottery terminals, which are similar to slot machines but with a variety of games. Lottery profits are used to support charitable projects, and some are distributed directly to communities.

Laotian immigrant Cheng Saephan and his wife, Duanpen, will share hundreds of millions of dollars after winning a lottery in Oregon. He will take half the prize, and give the rest to a friend who helped him buy the shares. The couple is members of the Iu Mien, a southeast Asian ethnic group that escaped persecution during the Vietnam War. Many of them settled in the Portland area, where they have built thriving communities with Buddhist temples, Baptist churches, social organizations and businesses.

Lottery in the US has a long and varied history. In the early days, people gathered in bars and other public spaces to draw numbers for prizes of food, clothing or livestock. Later, lotteries became more formalized, and were often operated by church groups or the military. In the 21st century, lottery is a multi-billion dollar industry, and is regulated by federal and state law. This session will explore what it means to play the lottery in contemporary America, and consider whether the activity is consistent with secular values.