a gambling game or method of raising money in which a large number of tickets are sold and a drawing is held for prizes. Also called lotto, toto, or satootto. a selection made by chance: a lottery for apartment units; a lottery for kindergarten placements. Also, any happening or process that seems to depend on chance: Life’s a lottery, isn’t it?
People who play the lottery spend billions each week. It is often seen as a way to improve one’s financial standing and many believe they will win the big prize. However, the odds of winning are incredibly low. Here is an article that explains the math behind this.
To determine the winner of a lottery, lots were placed with other objects in a receptacle (such as a hat or helmet), then shaken; the object whose name or mark fell first was the winner. This was a common practice in medieval Europe and early America, and led to the phrases draw lots and cast one’s lot with another.
Lottery winners may find themselves tempted to make changes in their lives that they never would have considered without the windfall they received from the prize. For example, a recent Gallup poll showed that 40% of people who are “actively disengaged” from their jobs say they would quit their job if they won the lottery. This is not a good idea, as experts recommend that lottery winners avoid major life changes soon after their windfall.
