The lottery has become a centerpiece of American state government, a source of income that largely relieves state governments of the burden of paying for services that are traditionally financed by taxes. Despite the obvious limitations of state lotteries, which are not a substitute for taxation and that generate only relatively small amounts of money, few politicians in state legislatures and executive branches are willing to challenge them. Lottery advocates are constantly introducing new games in order to increase revenues.
The origins of lotteries are ancient. The Old Testament includes instructions to Moses to divide land by lot and Roman emperors used lotteries during Saturnalian feasts as a way to give away property and slaves. The modern state lotteries began in the United States shortly after World War II.
Most state lotteries operate by selling tickets for a future drawing, often weeks or months in the future. The initial growth of lottery revenue is dramatic, but over time it tends to level off and even decline, which has led to a steady stream of criticism from state lawmakers and the public at large.
Lottery critics also point out that state government officials are frequently unable to resist the temptation to use lottery funds to fund other projects. These include pork barrel projects, favored political parties, and other special interests. Lottery supporters argue that the proceeds are dedicated to a specific public good, such as education. They contend that this argument is particularly effective during times of economic stress when states are facing the prospect of having to raise or cut their budgets.