In this issue:

The lottery is a form of gambling where people pay money to be entered in a drawing for prizes, like cash or goods. Often, the prize amount is determined by a fixed percentage of total ticket sales. Prizes may be awarded randomly, such as in a drawing of numbers, or according to a predetermined formula, such as selecting the highest number among a group of numbered tickets. The earliest recorded lotteries date to the ancient world, where games of chance were used to distribute property and slaves. Roman emperors promoted them as entertainment at their Saturnalian feasts, awarding prizes of unequal value to guests in a game called the apophoreta.

In modern times, state-sponsored lotteries offer prizes of various sizes, ranging from $100 million to a single winning ticket. Some states also have private lotteries, which are not regulated by the state. Some people play the lottery for fun, while others use it as a way to improve their financial situation. Others play for the thrill of winning a big jackpot.

Many people think that playing the lottery is an irrational choice, and that they are being duped by companies that advertise heavily on billboards. But in conversations with lottery players — especially those who have played for years, spending $50 to $100 a week — it’s clear that they are convinced they will one day win the jackpot. The idea that you can take your chances with Lady Luck and walk away richer is a powerful allure in an age of inequality and limited social mobility.