A lottery is a game in which people pay a small sum of money for the chance to win a big prize. The prize can be money, goods or services. People often play the lottery for the chance to become rich. They also play it for a chance to help others. The winnings from the lottery are often used to fund sports events, charities and other projects.

The word lottery is derived from the Middle Dutch loterie, which is probably a calque of Old French lotterie “action of drawing lots” (see Lottery). The first recorded lotteries in Europe were held in the Low Countries in the 15th century to raise money for town fortifications and help the poor. King James I of England created a lottery to provide funds for the Jamestown, Virginia, settlement in 1612.

Most states have legalized lotteries to generate revenue for public-works projects, education and other purposes. These lotteries may be operated by government agencies or private corporations. In some states, the oversight of lotteries is performed by a state lottery board or commission. In other states, the oversight of lottery activities is done by an executive branch agency or the attorney general’s office. Some lotteries offer popular products as prizes, such as automobiles or sports team merchandise. These merchandising deals increase product visibility and sales and give the sponsor companies an opportunity to advertise their brands. Some lotteries have partnered with sports franchises to create games featuring famous athletes and teams.