Lottery is a fixture in American society, and state governments promote it to be the best way to raise money without raising taxes. But that doesn’t mean that the lottery is harmless or even a good thing. It’s a form of gambling, and the way it is promoted obscures its regressive nature and the social problems that it can create.

Lotteries have a long history, from the Old Testament’s instructions to Moses for distributing land by lots to Roman emperors giving away slaves and property during Saturnalian feasts as a form of entertainment. The first European public lotteries in the modern sense of the word began in 15th-century Burgundy and Flanders with towns raising money for defense or to aid the poor. Francis I of France authorized the establishment of public lotteries in several cities between 1520 and 1539.

Despite the widespread popularity of the game, winning isn’t as easy as buying a ticket and crossing your fingers. The odds of winning are stacked against players, who tend to be lower-income and less educated than the average American. In fact, about 70 to 80 percent of the national lottery revenue comes from a minority of people who buy tickets consistently, and they are disproportionately lower-income, nonwhite, and male.

In addition, the prevailing logic for choosing numbers is flawed. Picking numbers based on birthdays or other significant dates is a common practice, but it reduces the number of possible combinations and limits your chances of victory. To improve your chances, choose a mix of low, high, odd, and even numbers and use a tool like Lotterycodex to calculate the probability of each combination.

People who play the lottery know that they’re not going to win, but they also know that the improbable hope that they will is their only shot at getting out of poverty. That’s why they keep playing. They’ve tried everything else, and they’re willing to spend $50 or $100 a week on tickets, despite the negative expected value.

I’ve spoken with a handful of committed lottery players, and they’re clear-eyed about the odds. They have quote-unquote systems, and they may buy a ticket on a particular day or at a particular store. But they also understand that the lottery is not a way up, and they treat it like any other form of entertainment: They budget for it in their income, and they don’t expect to come out ahead. And if they do win, they don’t make a big show of it to avoid the vultures and new-found relatives who are bound to come calling. So if you’re serious about winning the lottery, stop spending your money on gas station tickets and start investing in your education and job skills. You’ll be happier in the long run. And if you do hit it big, remember to keep your mouth shut and surround yourself with a team of lawyers and financial advisers. After all, most states don’t allow you to claim your prize anonymously, so you’ll need a team to protect you against the inevitable onslaught of vultures and family members who want a piece of the action.