The History of Lotteries

Historian: Lotteries have a very long history, as you alluded to, as sort of a means of public finance. In the 15th century Belgium, they're used to sort of fund civic projects that remains the case in England in the 16th century. Another major use was if someone wants to sell an estate, but there's no buyer with enough cash on hand to buy it,. They might have a lottery instead.