There’s a lot going on behind the scenes when people buy lottery tickets. States promote the games to generate revenue and convince us that the money raised is going to “save the children.” But it’s unclear just how meaningful this revenue is in broader state budgets and whether or not the trade-offs are worth it for the average lottery player.

Americans spend more than $80 billion each year on tickets, making it the most popular form of gambling in the country. But the odds of winning are slim, and even if you do win, there are significant tax implications. Plus, the money you spend on tickets could be better used for something else like an emergency fund or paying off credit card debt.

The first recorded lotteries were held in the Low Countries in the 16th century to raise funds for a variety of public uses, including town fortifications and helping the poor. The Dutch state-owned Staatsloterij has been running since 1726 and remains the oldest lottery still in operation today. While there are many private lotteries, the vast majority of lottery revenue is generated by state-run and federally sponsored games in the United States.

While a small portion of lottery proceeds is designated for education, most of it is spent on state and local government. The lottery helps provide funding for a range of services including roads, schools, police and fire departments, libraries, community colleges, and hospitals. The state controller’s office determines how much is dispersed to each county based on average daily attendance for K-12 schools and full-time enrollment for higher education institutions.

If you want to maximize your chances of winning, try picking numbers that are less common. It’s also wise to avoid selecting numbers that are close to one another or consecutive, such as a sequence of birthdays or ages. These types of numbers will have a larger chance of being selected by other players, reducing your share of the prize.

Lottery winnings are usually available in a lump sum or an annuity payment. Lump sums are good for immediate use, while annuities offer a steady stream of income over time. Your choice will depend on your financial goals and applicable laws.

Super-sized jackpots drive lottery sales, not least because they earn the game a windfall of free publicity on news sites and broadcasts. But if you’re hoping to win the jackpot, the best strategy is to play smaller games with lower prize amounts. The chances of hitting the top prize are slim, but you can still win a substantial amount if you select the right numbers.

Lottery playing is regressive, with most of the players coming from the 21st through 60th percentiles of the income distribution. These are people who probably do not have enough discretionary money to build an emergency fund or pay off credit card debt. They are also probably not in the position to seize the American dream through entrepreneurship or innovation.