In an age of inequality and limited social mobility, the lottery can seem to be the last best chance for some people. That’s why state lotteries are so popular, despite their inconvenient costs and long odds of winning. But there’s a dark underbelly to the lottery—it can also be an exercise in denial, in which players rationalize their participation by imagining that they will somehow win big and break out of their current economic situation. This is why it’s important to keep in mind the truth about the odds of winning.

The practice of determining fates or allocating property by casting lots is ancient, with several biblical examples, and Roman emperors regularly held lotteries at dinner parties and as entertainment. But in modern times, lotteries have grown in popularity and scope, with Americans spending an estimated $100 billion per year on tickets. Their success has led to the expansion of games, including video poker and keno, as well as an unprecedented reliance on advertising.

Until recently, it was thought that lotteries were a harmless way for states to raise funds for public uses. They provided a much needed revenue source that was seen as a relatively painless form of taxation, especially for the middle and working classes. But the current financial crisis has shattered that myth, with state lotteries now facing serious challenges from declining ticket sales and mounting operating expenses.

In the past, many states used lottery revenues to fund roads, libraries, churches, canals, and bridges. Some of the early American colonies even used them to supply guns for their militias during the Revolutionary War. Benjamin Franklin’s own lottery was used to raise money for a battery of cannons to defend Philadelphia from the British, and the lottery was a key part of colonial life up until the advent of gambling laws.

Currently, state lotteries attract a wide range of participants. But they have specific constituencies that they rely on: convenience store operators, who sell tickets and are often the main distributors; lottery suppliers (who make heavy contributions to state political campaigns); teachers, who get a share of revenues for education; and legislators, who quickly become accustomed to the influx of cash. Moreover, the majority of lotto players and their purchases are concentrated in middle-income neighborhoods, with far fewer from lower income areas. This exacerbates the problems of inequality and social mobility. It’s time to think about a new approach for state lotteries. In the future, we need to consider ways to increase diversity in lottery participation, reduce ticket prices, and reduce promotional expenditures. This will help to create a lottery that is more equitable and sustainable for all. A great start would be to expand the number of available games and allow players to purchase tickets online. This could open up the lottery to a wider audience, and increase the chances of winning for all players. A good place to start would be by expanding the lottery to include games like keno, which offers much higher prize amounts than traditional lottery games.