Lottery is not merely a form of gambling on which one lays his bet and money. Rather, it is also one way by which a person gets to help other people and his society. These days, most lottery games are held so that part of the ticket sales may be allotted to fund a few beneficial projects for the needy and for public infrastructures.
This was how the history of lottery began. Back in time at 100 BC, the first Keno game was given birth in China during the Hun Dynasty and the funds raised from the lottery games were allocated for financing the construction of the Great Wall of China and the country’s other defense needs. Other ancient civilizations also had different forms of lotteries such as in Rome. The Roman Empire had operated the very foremost lottery in Europe. Somehow it began as an entertainment means in parties and gatherings of the noble society members but during Augustus Caesar’s reign, lottery tickets were sold as a means of raising fund for repairing the city. Objects of distinct value were given as prizes instead of cash which we are now used to.
Many year later in 1434, the first public lottery was recorded to have occurred in the town of Sluis in Netherlands. The first ever lotteries which gave away cash prizes happened a decade after, in about 1444 in several Flanders towns; now are France, Holland and Belgium. It is said that these monetary prized lotteries have aided the poor people and town fortifications. In addition, these lotteries were regarded by the Dutch as a taxation form which is less painful to pay. In 1465 lotteries have been held to construct almshouses, chapels, port facilities and canals in Belgium. Indian satta
In the Western world, lotteries were also played. In the late 16th century, Queen Elizabeth I had instituted the first of English state lotteries. Four thousand tickets were recorded to have been sold and the prizes given away included tapestry, plate and cash. What followed after this was when the English government had sold rights to brokers for selling lottery tickets. Then the brokers hired agents for selling the tickets publicly. Since then, lotteries held by the government had been operated in this manner until 1826 when the Parliament affirmed the final lottery.
Soon after, many forms of lotteries were invented and played by a lot of people and citizens in every country worldwide. What used to be a noble intention to raise finances for beneficial programs were invaded by corruption and other negative issues. Some private lotteries did not give the prize promoted during ticket sales, at worst no prize at all were ever received by the winner. In some areas like in Canada and United States, there came a time when lottery games were banned and prohibited. Laws and regulations, however, were decreed and implemented to govern the playing and drawing of lotteries.