A state lottery is a lottery game run by the government of a state. It is a legal form of gambling and provides a valuable source of state revenue for educational and other purposes. However, it has been criticized as promoting addictive gambling behavior and being a regressive tax on lower-income groups.

Critics also say that state governments have a conflict between their desire to increase revenue and their duty to protect the public welfare. This has led to some serious mismanagement of lotteries, particularly at the state level.

Some critics argue that lotteries should not be used for state revenue at all, but instead should be used to provide funding for a wide range of non-gambling activities. This could include education, environmental programs, or social service projects.

The state government of Washington, for example, uses its lottery revenues to pay for a number of educational and other public services. For example, it distributes a large portion of its profits to education and provides scholarships and grants for students.

Moreover, it directs lottery proceeds to special programs that benefit children and families. These include scholarships for needy third-level students, early childhood education, and support for handicapped individuals and their families. The state has also provided funding for HIV/AIDS awareness, research and treatment, cancer treatment and care, and other public health services. It also supports the pensions of teachers and first responders. In all, the Washington State Lottery has raised more than $2 billion to benefit public schools and students since 1985.