A state lottery is a lottery game operated by a state government. Lotteries are a popular way to raise money for various public programs, and they typically attract broad public support.
They also provide a financial cushion to states that are experiencing budgetary crises. The resulting revenue helps states balance their budgets without raising taxes or cutting other essential services.
Despite their popularity, lotteries are not without controversy. Critics argue that they encourage gambling addiction, are a major regressive tax on lower-income groups, and lead to other abuses. Others, however, argue that the benefits of increased revenues far outweigh any potential negative consequences.
Some state lotteries also offer the possibility of having prizes garnished to collect debts, including unpaid taxes and outstanding child support obligations. Some states allow garnishment of prizes as low as $100, while others set the limit at $2,500.
There is also controversy over the marketing of lottery games, which tends to target lower-income groups. For example, a new state lottery advertising campaign features real New Yorkers singing along to the song “If I Had a Million Dollars,” as they try to win the grand prize of $500,000.
In many states, lotteries are heavily marketed by convenience store vendors, who pay heavy political contributions to state politicians. The general public is often persuaded to purchase lottery tickets, regardless of their actual financial condition.