The official lottery is a form of gambling in which prizes (typically money or goods) are distributed among several people by chance. It differs from traditional gambling in that the bettors must purchase chances, or tickets, and the winners are selected in a drawing. The number of tickets sold and the size of the prizes vary, depending on the laws and policies of each state or organization that oversees the lottery.

Lotteries appeal to the basic human urge to gamble. The prizes are big enough to draw in a lot of players, and the billsboards displaying Mega Millions and Powerball jackpots make for effective marketing. But there is more going on here than just an inextricable human impulse to play. Lotteries are also dangling the promise of instant riches in an age of inequality and limited social mobility.

State lotteries are businesses that make billions of dollars in revenue from the sale of tickets. The proceeds go to a variety of causes, including public education. But they are not subject to scrutiny from legislators or other officials who don’t have a direct stake in the money the lottery raises.

Most state lotteries sell tickets online and in person. Some have mobile apps that allow users to buy tickets from their smartphones or tablet computers. Pennsylvania’s iLottery app allows players to choose their numbers and purchase scratch-offs or instant games. It also lets users sign up for a Play Smart account, which provides lottery news and information and offers rewards like free scratch-offs.