The lottery started in 1890 in the state of Colorado. Later, the lottery spread to other states, including Florida, Idaho, Kansas, Missouri, Nebraska, Oregon, and South Dakota. It was also started in Washington state, Virginia, and New Mexico. It was not until the 1990s that Texas began the lottery. Today, it is played in all 50 states and the District of Columbia.
Origins
The history of lottery gambling dates back to the ancient Egyptians and the Romans. These cultures used lottery gambling to settle legal disputes, assign property rights, and fund large government projects. The game first came to Europe during the time of Roman Emperor Augustus. In the Middle Ages, lottery games were held in cities. Five people were chosen at random every two years to receive a prize. From that point, the game was widely adopted, and people began betting on random drawings to win prizes.