Lottery games are popular in many countries around the world. The first lottery games were recorded in China in the Han Dynasty, between 205 and 187 BC. The game is believed to have helped finance major government projects. The Chinese Book of Songs even mentions the game of chance as “drawing wood or lots.”

Today, most states have at least one type of lottery game. Earlier, most lottery games were simple raffles where winners had to wait weeks for their results. Today, nearly every state that operates a lottery has a cash lotto, instant game, or numbers game. Pull tabs, video lottery games, and keno are also available, though they are considered casino-type games. These games are less popular than traditional lottery games. These online lottery games offer instant ticket purchases, multiple betting options, and easy ticket redemption.

The first lottery game to catch on was the Big Game. This multi-state lottery game is played in eleven states. Players choose six numbers from two separate pools. If all six match, they win a prize. Drawings are held every week or twice. Players can buy multiple tickets for as little as one dollar each. However, the game has been criticized for being “hardcore gambling.”

According to a survey by the Lottery Research Institute, 65% of people believe that lottery games are a legitimate form of entertainment, despite their inherent drawbacks. In fact, a survey in the U.S. conducted in July 2000 showed that nearly three-fourths of respondents support the operation of state lotteries. This favorability increases among people under the age of 35, while decreasing with age. The same study shows that only six percent of people over the age of 55 favor state lotteries.