The lottery is a form of gambling where players place bets for a chance to win a prize. The prizes may be cash or goods. Lotteries are often conducted by governments, but can also be run privately. They are an important source of revenue, and can be used to fund public works projects such as roads and schools. They can also be used to distribute welfare benefits.
The game involves buying a ticket that is then matched to a drawing of numbers or symbols. The bettor’s name and the amount of money staked on each ticket are recorded. A percentage of the pool is normally set aside for costs, and a fixed percentage is given to winners. The remainder is often divided between a few large prizes and many smaller ones.
It’s a familiar story: state coffers swell with ticket sales and jackpots, but that money comes from somewhere, and studies show that it disproportionately flows into low-income neighborhoods, minorities, and people with gambling addiction. Winning the lottery is no guarantee of a better life, either: Those who have done so sometimes find themselves worse off than they were before.
Shirley Jackson’s short story, “The Lottery,” is an exploration of the hypocrisy and evil nature of humankind. It is set in a small village where the customs of lottery are still practiced. The villagers greet each other with warmth and exchange bits of gossip, but are unflinching in their evil actions.
