Official lottery is one of the most popular forms of gambling. People spend billions of dollars playing it every year, and states promote it as a way to generate revenue for public services. But just how meaningful that revenue is, and whether it’s worth the trade-off of people losing money, remains a matter for debate.

Lotteries are usually conducted through a drawing in which a set of winning numbers is chosen at random. Some lotteries allow players to pay for more than one draw at a time, which increases the chances of winning and reduces the total cost of the ticket. Most lotteries also provide a method for players to check their tickets to see if they have won.

In addition to individual state-run lotteries, there are a number of multi-state lotteries. The first was the Tri-State Megabucks, launched in 1985 in Maine, New Hampshire, and Vermont; its successor is today’s Powerball. Other multi-state lotteries include the Big Game, a joint venture of six states (Iowa, Oregon, Massachusetts, Rhode Island, Virginia, and West Virginia) that offers a wide variety of games.

Play your favorite lottery games on the go with our official mobile apps. Easily check your ticket to see if you’re a winner, find retailers near you, purchase select lottery games, and more! Please note that these apps are only available for residents of the United States and Canada. Please play responsibly and be sure to read the governing rules, regulations and procedures of your state’s lottery before downloading and playing.