Lottery is a game in which people purchase tickets, have numbers drawn for prizes and hope to win. It can also refer to:
Any contest, game, or activity whose outcome appears to be determined by chance:
In the United States, state governments typically regulate and operate lotteries, but they may delegate some duties to private organizations. Lottery officials usually set rules about prize amounts, frequencies and other details. They also determine how to distribute winnings and collect and manage ticket sales. In addition, the lottery must develop a system to record and print tickets in retail shops, communicate with retailers and winners, and transport stakes. Lastly, federal laws generally prohibit the use of the mail for advertising or marketing purposes. However, smuggling of lotteries in violation of these laws is common.