International Lottery Day 2024: Know the History Behind Lottery, How it Started?

International Lottery Day is celebrated around the world on 27 August each year. The day is dedicated to the joy, optimism and aspirations that lotteries inspire. Lotteries have attracted people since ancient times because they offer the tantalizing possibility of transforming small investments into huge fortunes.

Although lotteries are sometimes associated with the possibility of winning huge prizes, they also play an important role in funding charities and public events. A significant portion of winnings from several state-run lotteries are donated to infrastructure, healthcare, and education projects.

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For example, the majority of U.S. lottery proceeds are used to support scholarships and public education, and in addition to funding public services, lotteries often support charitable projects.

Some lotteries are specifically created to raise funds for charitable organizations and community causes, including medical research, disaster relief, and cultural preservation. In this sense, lotteries are a way for people to give back to society, translating the hopes and dreams of individual participants into real benefits for the entire community.

What is the history of lottery?

Lotteries have a long history that spans many cultures and continents, dating back thousands of years. Here is an overview:

China (205 BC and 187 BC)

China’s Han Dynasty is believed to be where the first recorded lotteries occurred. The Great Wall was one of the large government projects funded by these lotteries. Lotteries are believed to have originated from the game of “Keno”.

Roman Empire (100 BC – 400 AD)

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Lotteries were a common form of entertainment at Roman dinner parties. Prizes ranged from expensive jewelry to tableware. It is said that the first official lottery in Rome was started by Emperor Augustus, whose money was used to rebuild the city of Rome.

Italy (15th century)

Lotteries first appeared in Europe in Italy in the 15th century. The money earned from lotteries was often used to build public works such as roads, bridges and other infrastructure. One of the earliest lotteries ever was held in Milan in 1449 to raise funds for its war against Venice.

France (1539)

After seeing the popularity of Italian lotteries, King Francis I of France also introduced lotteries to France. In 1539, the king approved the issuance of the first lottery in French history, the “Royal Lottery”. However, due to the high price of lottery tickets, ordinary people did not find it very popular.

The Encyclopedia Britannica states: “Between 1520 and 1539, King Francis I of France permitted the establishment of private and public profit-making lotteries in several cities. The first public lottery in Europe to award prizes was probably the ventura, held in the Italian city-state of Modena from 1476 onwards and sponsored by the ruling d’Este family (see House of Este). However, the lottery that later became the model was the Genoese lottery. This was such a successful enterprise (despite resistance from the Roman Catholic Church) that the practice soon spread to other Italian cities and elsewhere.”

England (1566)

To raise money for public projects, such as repairing docks and other infrastructure, Queen Elizabeth I launched Britain’s first national lottery. Prizes included tapestries, plates and cash. The lottery was first drawn in 1569 and was widely reported.

The Encyclopedia Britannica states: “In 1566, Queen Elizabeth I chartered a lottery in England to raise money for repairing ports and other public uses. In 1612, the Virginia Company received permission from King James I to run a lottery to help finance the settlement of Jamestown in the New World.”

United States (19th century)

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Lotteries became a controversial topic in the 19th century due to widespread fraud and corruption. As a result, lotteries were outlawed in many states. However, lotteries re-emerged in the 20th century, beginning in 1964 when New Hampshire created the first contemporary state lottery in the United States.

Global expansion (20th century to present)

Many countries have established national lotteries as a means of raising funds for public services, including infrastructure, healthcare and education. Today, lotteries are a global phenomenon. Online lotteries are becoming increasingly popular thanks to technological breakthroughs such as the internet.

International Lottery Day 2024: Ethical considerations for lotteries

As lotteries grow in popularity, it is vital to encourage appropriate gaming behaviours. While lotteries can be exciting and fun as a form of entertainment, they can also lead to problematic behaviours.

On International Lottery Day 2024, organisations around the world are highlighting the value of responsible gambling, advising participants to set boundaries, live within their means and seek help if gambling becomes a problem.

Ethical issues are also considered in the way lotteries are run. Fairness and transparency are essential to maintaining public confidence in the lottery system. In recent years, technological developments have improved the security and integrity of lotteries, guaranteeing fair draw procedures and equal chances of winning for all players.

As well as celebrating the past and present, International Lottery Day 2024 also offers a glimpse into the future of lotteries. As technology develops further, the potential for lotteries is endless, providing new opportunities for people to be excited, connected and to have a positive impact on society.

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Source: https://dinhtienhoang.edu.vn
Category: Optical Illusion