Lottery

A competition based on chance, in which numbered tickets are sold and prizes are awarded to holders of numbers drawn at random; also called a raffle. A popular means of raising money for state and charitable causes, it is often viewed as an alternative to other forms of gambling.

The first European public lotteries in the modern sense of the word were held in the 15th century in Burgundy and Flanders as a way to raise money for town fortifications, or to help the poor. The oldest running lottery in the world is the Dutch Staatsloterij, which dates back to 1726.

While the vast majority of people do not become addicted to winning the lottery, it is still a form of gambling that can have serious financial consequences. In addition, the amount of money required to purchase a ticket makes it an expensive hobby for most, and the chances of winning are extremely slim–there is actually a greater chance of being struck by lightning than winning the Mega Millions!

The biggest problem with the lottery is that it entices people to covet money and things that money can buy. This is not just a moral issue, but also a practical one, since the Bible warns against covetousness (Exodus 20:17; 1 Timothy 6:10). The truth is that the only way to have enough money to afford anything you want in life is to work hard for it. But many people, especially those in the bottom quintile of income distribution, are lured by the promise that the lottery will make them rich quick.