The use of chance to make decisions and determine fates has a long history in human society. The casting of lots for property, slaves, and even military conscription has been recorded in the Old Testament and by Roman emperors. In modern times, state lotteries have grown to be a major source of government revenue and remain popular in an anti-tax era. Lottery advocates claim that the proceeds from state lotteries are used for a public good and can help reduce tax rates, while critics point to studies showing the overall fiscal health of many states has not been improved by lottery revenues.
The popularity of a lottery depends on whether its prizes are perceived as benefiting a specific group or community and on the extent to which people can be convinced that the money will be spent wisely. A lottery can also be popular when the government is under financial stress and when it might be difficult to increase taxes or cut other programs.
Many people like to play the lottery because they plain old enjoy gambling, and they think the prizes are pretty high. But other factors can influence participation, as well: men tend to play more than women; blacks and Hispanics play less than whites; and the young and the old play at lower levels than middle age groups. Lottery plays are also influenced by income: those in higher-income neighborhoods participate at a much lower level than those in lower-income ones.