The lottery is a popular form of gambling. It’s also a way for states to raise money. While some people play the lottery simply for fun, others are addicted to the game and spend far more than they can afford. But is the lottery really a waste of money? The answer is complicated.

The first European lotteries with prize money in the modern sense of the word appear in 15th-century Burgundy and Flanders as part of towns’ efforts to raise funds for town fortifications or to help the poor. In the 16th century, Francis I of France introduced public lotteries for both private and public profit to several cities.

While there is a certain inextricable human urge to gamble, the big problem with lotteries is that they lure people into playing by dangling the promise of instant riches in an age of inequality and limited social mobility. This is akin to covetousness, which God forbids: “You shall not covet your neighbor’s house, his wife, his slave, his ox or his donkey, or anything that is your neighbor’s” (Exodus 20:17).

Whether you choose to play the lottery or not, be sure to set a budget and stick with it. Even those $1 or $2 tickets can add up over time, and there are plenty of other things you could do with your money. If you decide to play, make sure you study the odds. It’s important to be clear-eyed about the odds and understand how much you can expect to win based on past results.