Official lottery is a form of gambling whereby participants pay an entry fee and have the chance to win money or prizes, often based on random selection. It has been around for centuries and can be a source of entertainment, excitement, and for the lucky few who beat the odds, life-changing riches. For the rest, it is a form of gambling and has been criticized as such.

In the US, there are 48 state lotteries with varying laws and operations. Most offer a traditional number game with a jackpot prize, but some also include games like keno, video lottery terminals, instant tickets, and other types of gambling. While some states have a single lottery, most use consortiums to manage larger games with higher jackpots, making them de facto national lotteries.

The amount of money people spend on state-sponsored lotteries is staggering: more than $100 billion in 2021 alone. But that money doesn’t go to the actual state governments that need it—indeed, it is a drop in the bucket relative to overall state revenue. And while there may be an inextricable human impulse to gamble, that shouldn’t be used to fund states.

Download the Official Lottery app to check your winning numbers and be in the know with jackpot and draw game notifications. Play Powerball, Mega Millions, SuperLotto Plus, Fantasy 5, Hot Spot and all daily games from your smartphone. Please remember to play responsibly and never use your mobile phone while crossing streets, operating motor vehicles, or using chain saws.