There is no better way to raise money for a public project than to run an official lottery. The Continental Congress and the Colonial Army both ran lotteries to raise money. Alexander Hamilton, a member of the Continental Congress, once wrote that lotteries should be kept simple and that people would risk trifling amounts of money for the chance of substantial gains. It was an era before taxes were considered a legitimate method of public funding. Various states and municipalities began running lottery games to raise money for public projects.
There are several advantages to purchasing tickets through an official lottery. First of all, the tickets are guaranteed to be legal. In addition to being legal and safe, lottery enthusiasts do not have to deal with scams. Second, joining an official lottery is easy and convenient. You can play a number of lottery games online. Once you choose the lottery game you want to play, all you have to do is register and make a payment. Most states have an official lottery website.
The earliest known lotteries took place during the Roman Empire. They were mainly held for entertainment at dinner parties. Each guest received a ticket. Prizes were usually dinnerware or fancy dinnerware. By participating in a lotteries, ticket holders were assured of winning something. In addition, many early records of a lottery include a fundraiser organized by Augustus the Roman Emperor. The funds raised were used for repairs around the City of Rome. The winners received articles of unequal value.