The official lottery is a government-run gambling operation that provides proceeds that are used for state purposes, such as public education and infrastructure. It is a common source of funding, and many states have a lottery, but not all do. There are also private lotteries, which raise money for specific causes, such as cancer research or veterans’ affairs. These are usually illegal, but there are some that operate within the law.

In colonial America, lotteries were an important part of the economy, raising funds for both private and public ventures. They helped finance roads, canals, bridges, churches, colleges, libraries, and other institutions, and aided the military during the French and Indian War and the American Revolution. They also funded the construction of New York City hall and helped develop its manufacturing industries.

Today, most state-controlled lotteries are run by government agencies and have a variety of games. In addition to the traditional balls and numbers games, most lotteries offer instant tickets, keno, video lottery terminals, and more. Some states also host multi-state lotteries that offer larger jackpots.

Lottery opponents have questioned both the ethics of using gambling to fund state services and the amount of money that states stand to gain. Devout Protestants, in particular, viewed state-sanctioned lotteries as morally unconscionable. However, these critics have been largely overtaken by the economic reality of the lottery’s impact on state budgets. Lottery sales increase when incomes decline and unemployment rises, while advertising for the games tends to be most heavily concentrated in poor, Black and Latino neighborhoods.