A lottery is a form of gambling in which numbers are drawn at random for a prize. Some governments outlaw it, while others endorse it and organize state or national lotteries. Most states have laws that regulate the sale of tickets, prohibit minors from participating, and require licenses for vendors. Most states also have rules that govern how prizes are awarded, such as requiring that winners be a certain age or that they must be residents of the state in which the lottery is held.
Tessie realizes that the lottery is unfair, but she does not oppose it before it turns against her. This is a symbol of how easy it is for people to follow tradition without questioning it or protesting it when they think that it is wrong.
In ancient times, property was distributed by lot, and in the late Middle Ages, lotteries were popular fundraising methods for a variety of public uses. Lottery advocates argued that they were a painless form of taxation, because the winners voluntarily spend their own money rather than being forced to pay taxes.
Critics charge that lottery advertising is often deceptive, including presenting misleading odds of winning the jackpot; inflating the value of the money won (most lottery jackpots are paid in equal annual installments over 20 years, with inflation dramatically eroding the current value); and so on. They also argue that lotteries disproportionately benefit the rich and do not improve social welfare, although they can help to reduce poverty in poor neighborhoods.