The official lottery is a government-sponsored game in which people have a chance to win a prize by paying a small amount of money. It is one of the most popular forms of gambling in the United States. Supporters of the games argue that they serve a variety of public interests, from deterring illegal gambling to providing a painless alternative to higher taxes. Opponents, however, criticize the games for dishonesty and unseemly manipulation.

For the past century, state-run lotteries have become a major source of revenue for state governments. In 2002, thirty-nine states and the District of Columbia brought in more than $42 billion from ticket sales. But the popularity of these games is also a source of controversy, as they have been accused of being dishonest, unseemly, and regressive.

While the odds of winning are extremely low, many people feel they have a civic duty to play, especially when the economy and unemployment rates are bad. Lotteries can reinforce a meritocratic belief that anyone can get ahead as long as they have a good work ethic and are willing to put in the time. They can also be a vehicle for people who are excluded from the mainstream economy, such as black Americans, to try to get out of poverty.

Regardless of whether or not you want to play the New York state lottery, you may wish to know that its proceeds are largely used for education. Moreover, winners are publicly announced to give the games more publicity. To do this, the New York state lottery commission requires identifying information from all winners.