A lottery is a game where people pay a small amount of money in exchange for the chance to win a large prize. Most of the time, the money raised is used for public goods. Examples include a lottery for apartments in a subsidized housing block or kindergarten placements at a popular school. But sometimes it’s also used for sports, such as when the National Basketball Association holds a lottery to determine who gets to pick first in the draft.

While some experts blame the popularity of Lottery on people’s inherent propensity for gambling, others point to societal changes that have made it more difficult for many people to get ahead. In a world where social mobility has been severely limited, the lottery offers a tantalizing promise of instant riches. Regardless of the reasoning, it’s clear that Lottery is a lucrative business for governments and companies.

I’ve talked to lottery players who play for years and spend $50, $100 a week on tickets. They’re often irrational, but they’re also unfazed by the odds. It’s almost as if they’re telling themselves: Sure, the odds are long, but somebody has to win. And if it’s not me, then it’s all those other losers out there who won’t even try.

State lotteries rely on two messages to lure people in. One is that it’s a fun experience to buy a ticket. The other is that someone has to win, and it might as well be you.