The lottery is a form of gambling in which numbers are drawn at random for a prize. While casting lots to make decisions or determine fates has a long record in human history, lotteries as a means of raising money for material gain are of more recent origin, and the practice is widespread today. Many governments outlaw lotteries, while others endorse and regulate them. In the modern era, state governments have grown dependent on these “painless” revenues, and are constantly under pressure to increase their share of lottery profits.

One message the state lotteries promote is that they raise funds for a specific public good, such as education, and that citizens who buy tickets feel a sense of civic duty to do so. This argument is effective and is often cited when state government fiscal health becomes an issue. However, studies show that the popularity of lotteries is independent of a state’s actual fiscal circumstances.

Gender and age also affect the likelihood of playing the lottery. Males play more often than females, and the likelihood of playing increases with age. These patterns are consistent with research on gambling as a whole and other correlated behaviors such as alcohol and drug use.

Jackson uses characterization methods such as setting and action to develop her characters. Mrs. Delacroix, for example, is portrayed as a decisive and determined woman with a quick temper. This is evident in her action when she picks a big rock from the ground with both hands.