The term lottery — in its modern sense of an arrangement of prizes by chance — appears to have first appeared in the Low Countries in the 15th century, where towns would hold public lotteries to raise money for town fortifications and to help the poor. The name is probably a calque on Middle Dutch loetje, which could mean “action of drawing lots” or “lot of people.”
The odds of winning are incredibly low, so many of us play just for the fun of it. But the reality is that lottery players as a group contribute billions in government receipts that we could be saving for retirement or college tuition. Even the small purchases of a single lottery ticket can add up to thousands in foregone savings over time, especially when they become a habit.
If you are thinking about purchasing a lottery ticket, be sure to take the time to research numbers. The best way to choose a number is to use a system that works based on combinatorial math and probability theory, not superstition or luck. Then you’ll have a better chance of avoiding the wrong numbers.
If you actually win the lottery, don’t just spend your newfound wealth on a big home or sports car. It’s important to pay off all of your debts, diversify your investments, and keep a healthy emergency fund. Also, be sure to do good in the community. It’s not a legal requirement, but it is the right thing to do from a societal perspective.
