The History of Lotteries Around the World
From ancient China to modern digital draws, explore the rich history of lottery games.
Lotteries have a surprisingly long and noble history, stretching back over two thousand years. The earliest recorded signs of lottery-like games date back to the Han Dynasty in China between 205 and 187 BC. It is believed that these early 'Keno' games helped finance major government projects, including the construction of the Great Wall of China. These games were seen as a way for the state to raise significant funds without the unpopularity of direct taxation.
In Europe, the first known public lotteries were held in the 15th century in the Low Countries (modern-day Belgium and the Netherlands) to raise money for town fortifications and to help the poor. By the time the American colonies were being established, lotteries were a standard tool for funding everything from the settlement of Jamestown to the construction of prestigious universities like Harvard and Yale. Today, while the technology has changed, the core purpose remains remarkably similar: a voluntary contribution to public works in exchange for a chance at a life-changing prize.