National lotteries: Games of chance held to heave money for particular causes. The first held in the UK took place in the year 1569 principally to raise money for repair of the Cinque Ports. There were nearly 400 000 tickets or lots, with prizes in the form of the plate, tapestries and money.

Nowadays lotteries are held in several countries with proceeds either used to augment the exchequer or to fund the good causes. The current UK version began in November in the year1994 and consists of selecting six numbers from 49 for a one pound bet. The winning numbers are drawn 'at random' using one of the number of 'balls-in-drum' type of the machine.