Lotteries have a long history in Europe and America. In the fourteen-hundreds, the Continental Congress tried to set up a lottery to fund the Revolution; this failed, but private lotteries flourished in England and the colonies. They were a popular way to obtain “voluntary taxes” and helped build such American colleges as Harvard, Dartmouth, Yale, King’s College (now Columbia), Union, and William and Mary. They also helped finance public works like bridges, battery of guns for the defense of Philadelphia and rebuilding Faneuil Hall in Boston.

Unlike other gambling, lotteries offer prizes based on chance. Modern examples include military conscription, commercial promotions in which property is given away through a random procedure, and the selection of jury members from lists of registered voters. Despite their long history, however, state-run lotteries have not been able to overcome the objection that they constitute gambling.

New York lottery results

Buying a ticket in the state of New York allows players to be eligible for a variety of prize amounts, depending on the type of game played. The state lottery offers two primary games, including Powerball and the Take5 jackpots, which can reach tens of thousands of dollars. New York’s official lottery website features services like tracking lottery outcomes, finding physical retailers, and accessing information about the games.