A lottery is a form of gambling which is present in United States of America as well as in Europe. It really is guided by the government and that is why some countries don't have such a type of gambling because the government outlawed it, while in other countries it became a national lottery.

Prior to the World War II this form of gambling was illegal, but in 1960 casinos and lotteries began to appear in United States and Europe and they were used as a means to raise revenue as well as taxes.

Sometimes the lottery is described as a regressive tax. It is called a "tax on stupidity" as a result of the minimal chances to win the big prize. Even when it's used to describe this type of gambling, the word "tax" isn't strictly correct as these descriptions are used to make people understand that these games are government-sanctioned operations and they attract only individuals who do not recognize that buying a lottery ticket is a simple financial decision.

Lotteries come in many formats. Some lotteries can provide a prize which is based on money and a lot of them on goods.

Lottery tickets tend to be checked on the computer using mark sense-technology, that will check in less than one second if a variety of numbers was chosen by anyone.

Do not think that the lottery was invented in 1960, after the World War II. Romans were first to play this game - this was a way to relax and amuse at dinner parties. The truth is that it was distinctive from nowadays lottery, because, even if guests were receiving some tickets (the prize often consisted of fancy items), those who were unlucky received prizes, too. So, this type of lottery was a sort of distribution of gifts by wealthy noblemen.