Official lottery is a type of gambling operated by states, which involves picking numbers from a drawing to win a prize. There are 48 states in the US that operate lotteries, with many offering multiple games and jackpot sizes. Some state lotteries also participate in national games such as Powerball and Mega Millions.

Unlike most forms of gambling, state-run lotteries have a social responsibility to promote responsible gambling and discourage addiction. In addition, state-run lotteries must adhere to strict regulations regarding their advertising practices and other business operations.

The big message from lotteries is that playing a lottery is good because it raises money for the state. But that money is a small fraction of overall state revenue. It’s also a lot less than the percentage of taxes that are used for public education, which is what people really need.

It’s true that a lot of people like to gamble. But that doesn’t explain why states spend so much to promote a vice, especially one that exposes players to the hazards of addiction and contributes to inequality. People who want to gamble already have plenty of choices, from casino games and sports betting to horse racing and financial markets.

When you purchase a lottery ticket, you’ll receive a receipt that acts as proof of purchase. It will have the date and time of the lottery drawing, which you can check by visiting the retailer where you purchased your tickets or searching online for the results. If you are a winner, you will be notified by email. If you’re unable to claim your prize within three months of the drawing, it will become forfeit.