An official lottery is a state-sponsored game that raises money for public benefit projects. State legislatures create lotteries and specify their rules, including the minimum prize amounts, documentation a winner must present, payment methods, and procedures in case of a dispute. State lottery officials are responsible for the administration of the games. They also supervise the operation of private companies that run the games.

Most state lotteries are based on the idea that people will pay a small amount of money in exchange for a chance to win a large sum of money. Some of the proceeds from the lottery are then distributed to the winners, while a larger portion is given back to participating states. This system of “voluntary” taxation is popular with many legislators because it is less onerous than other forms of taxes, which often fall disproportionately on the poor and working class.

Lottery officials may promote their games through media campaigns, but there are also several moral arguments against them. A common objection is that the lottery preys on the illusory hopes of the poor. It is said that by allowing the poor and working classes to gamble their meager incomes on hope, they are wasting a precious resource that could be used for other purposes.

Another argument is that lottery games are addictive and dangerous for players, and that the money raised by them is not as good for the economy as other public services. This argument has prompted some governments to create hotlines for compulsive lottery playing and consider other measures to reduce the number of people addicted to the game.