An official lottery is a system for raising money by selling tickets with the hope of winning a prize. It is operated by a state, usually with the help of an independent organization. A state law governs the operation of the lottery and determines how much is spent on prizes, taxes, and other expenses. The prize pool is normally divided between a few large prizes and many smaller ones. A percentage of the prize pool goes as revenues and profits to organizers, and another portion is used for administrative costs.

Most states offer a variety of games. They may feature instant scratch-offs, keno, video lottery terminals, and other games. Some also sell online services. The official New York lottery website allows players to track their results and find physical retailers. It also provides information about upcoming jackpots and other promotions.

The website also lists winners, including the amount of the winnings and the date of the drawing. It also includes a list of rules and regulations. The website is available in several languages, including Spanish.

Some people who win the lottery want to remain anonymous. One lawyer, David Jaffe, helped 24 people who won a $425 million lottery prize form LLCs in order to avoid publicity. His law firm has brought in dozens of others who are trying to stay private. But many people don’t know about the loophole, or have the resources to form an LLC.

Lottery winners must pay taxes on their winnings and complete paperwork that shows their identity, so the state knows who they are. But they can also choose to go public. In that case, they must be ready for the media onslaught and a series of congratulatory emails from strangers.