The official lottery is a gambling game that is used to raise money for public projects. Its biggest draw is that it offers large jackpot prizes, but there are also smaller prizes. Historically, the lottery has been a popular way to fund religious and charitable works in addition to public schools. Some states even use it to help provide social services, such as child care and homeless shelters.

The first modern government-run lottery was established in Puerto Rico in 1934. The New Hampshire Lottery followed in 1964, and instant lottery tickets (often referred to as scratch-off games) were introduced in the 1970s. Today, most US states conduct a lottery and many offer a variety of games, including three-digit and four-digit games akin to numbers games; a five-number game; a six-number game; and video lottery terminals. Several states also participate in a multi-state lottery, such as Powerball, which is designed to create large jackpots.

Regardless of the type of lottery ticket purchased, players should always read the official winning numbers and prize payout information available on this website or at authorized retailers. In the event of a discrepancy, the official winning numbers prevail. Lottery proceeds have been used to build churches and other community facilities and to support educational institutions, including the famous Ivy League universities of Harvard, Yale, Columbia, and Dartmouth. Today, the lottery is an important source of revenue for most state governments. It is also a popular activity among Americans, with over two-thirds of all adults playing it at least once per year.