Lottery is big business in the United States, with Americans spending an estimated $100 billion a year on tickets. It’s a popular form of gambling that is often promoted by state governments as a way to raise revenue. But how meaningful this revenue is to broader state budgets and whether it’s worth the costs is up for debate.

People may play the lottery because it’s a chance to fantasize about winning a fortune at the cost of just two dollars. But there’s a lot more to it than that. The odds of winning are incredibly low and prize amounts vary wildly, from millions of dollars for the top prize to a few hundred dollars for matching five out of six numbers. Increasing your chances of winning requires a significant financial investment, which is why many people choose to buy multiple tickets or join a lottery pool with friends, family, and coworkers.

The first lotteries began in the 15th century in the Low Countries, raising funds for town fortifications and helping the poor. By the 17th century, private and public lotteries were common in England and the colonies, including America. The Continental Congress used a lottery to try to raise funds for the American Revolution, but the scheme failed. The heyday of public lotteries came in the 1800s, when they helped finance projects such as the British Museum and bridge repairs. They also provided money for colleges, including Harvard, Dartmouth, Yale, King’s College (now Columbia), and William and Mary.

There are many arguments against state-run lotteries, starting with the fact that they’re not as effective as other forms of revenue generation. But the bigger issue is that lottery games dangle the promise of riches in an age of inequality and limited social mobility, which gives them the power to lure people who wouldn’t gamble otherwise. Many of those who play the lottery are from low incomes, and critics say that the games function as a hidden tax on those who can least afford it.

It’s important to remember that God wants us to earn our wealth through hard work, not through a get-rich-quick scheme. It’s also important to note that the Bible warns against greed, which is the root of many lottery-related problems. “He who hath laid up treasure for himself, and is not rich, shall come to poverty; but he who layeth up treasure for others, shall be blessed” (Proverbs 22:7). “Lazy hands make for poverty, but diligent hands bring wealth” (Proverbs 24:4). The next time you pass by those billboards on the highway, think twice before you buy a ticket.