Lottery is a game of chance in which people try to win a prize by matching numbers or symbols. Some governments regulate and promote national or state-sponsored lotteries, while others prohibit them entirely. Most states have a state lottery to raise money for various public projects.

The word “lottery” derives from the Middle Dutch word Lote, or loting, meaning to draw lots. The earliest known use of the term in English was in 1567, when Queen Elizabeth I organized the first state lottery to finance the expansion of England’s overseas trade. The lottery was a popular form of public finance because it didn’t require the collection of taxes.

In modern lotteries, players pay a small amount to purchase a ticket that will be used in a drawing. If all the tickets are sold, a large jackpot is awarded to whoever picks the winning combination of numbers or symbols. The odds of winning are very low, however.

The first thing you should do if you win the lottery is establish proof that it’s your ticket, then hire a team to support you—including a financial advisor and planner, a lawyer for estate planning, and a CPA to help with taxes. Experts also recommend that you stay anonymous and avoid starting to spend or hand out your newfound wealth too quickly. This will help ensure that you’re able to keep as much of the money as possible. You can learn more about the best practices for winning the lottery here.