Lotteries are government-regulated games where people can win cash prizes by buying tickets. They can be played online or on paper. Many countries have national or state lotteries. Some have private lotteries as well. In the US, the federal government oversees lotteries and imposes certain rules on them. For example, players are not allowed to purchase tickets from companies that do not have a license. In addition, lottery profits are used for public service purposes.

The earliest lotteries were run by religious orders or local governments. Later, they were privatized. Many lotteries have a charitable purpose, but some do not. The New Zealand Lottery is a state-controlled organization that provides income for charity projects and community organizations. It also supports sports and cultural activities. The organization has four lottery games: the Lotto, Keno, Bullseye, and Instant Kiwi scratch card games. Profits are distributed by the Lottery Grants Board to a number of organizations and charities including Sport and Recreation New Zealand, Creative New Zealand, and the New Zealand Film Commission.

In the US, a number of laws regulate state-based and private lotteries. Some states have laws that prohibit lotteries, while others require them. In addition, state and territorial governments may control lotteries, or they may contract out the operation of them. Private lotteries are legal in most states. Some state governments have created tax-exempt foundations to oversee their lotteries. In some cases, these foundations have private investors.

Some governments have created lotteries to raise money for public works and services, such as highways and bridges. Other lotteries have been used to fund education. Lottery sales in the United States have raised billions of dollars, mainly from the Powerball game and other major games. Most of the proceeds are remitted to state educational systems, with smaller amounts going to local governments.

Lotteries are popular in many countries and have become a part of modern culture. Until 1967, purchasing a ticket in Canada was illegal. However, in that year the federal Liberal government introduced a bill (an Omnibus Bill) intended to bring up-to-date a number of obsolete laws. This bill included an amendment that legalized the purchase of a ticket in the Irish Sweepstakes. There are now state-based and national lotteries in Australia, the UK, France, Chile, and Peru.