Despite the many disadvantages, the lottery was widely used in colonial America. The Continental Congress used the proceeds of lotteries to finance the Colonial Army. Alexander Hamilton argued that lotteries should be made simple, so people would be willing to risk a small amount for the chance of a large gain. After all, it would be much better to have a small chance to win a large sum than a big one to lose money for nothing.
Various forms of lotteries were used, and they ranged from cash to goods. One type of lottery was a “50-50” draw, where 50% of the prize money went to the government and the other half went to the prize pool. In many recent lotteries, purchasers could choose their own numbers, and multiple winners could emerge. Although this format is not the most attractive for profit-oriented gamblers, it was a viable option for the poor.
Most US states today have websites for their lottery. These websites serve a primary utility for lottery players: to see the results of draws, locate locations, and contact information. Some states have also gone a step further, expanding their services to include instant games, which are casino-like games that allow players to wager real money on. Unlike the original lottery, this new form of lottery is available online, on mobile devices, and in some states. That means that the Internet is an ideal venue for the lottery.