Lottery games might seem like a product of the Instagram culture that birthed Kardashians, but they have roots as old as the country itself. While the lottery’s lightning-strike fame and fortune might seem out of place in the modern world of inequality and limited social mobility, it remains hugely popular. In fact, every state except North Dakota has a lottery and its attendant jackpots. The question is, why? There’s no single answer. But there are a few broad themes that run through lottery culture that might give a clue to the game’s enduring popularity.

The first is that people like to gamble. While the idea of making decisions or determining fates by casting lots has a long history in human society, with notable examples in the Bible and Roman emperors’ giveaways of property and slaves, it became a common way to distribute money during the American Revolution and early in the United States. Lotteries grew in popularity during the immediate post-World War II period, when states were expanding their social safety nets and seeking to raise revenues without imposing particularly onerous taxes on their citizens.

Because the lottery is a form of gambling, it’s not for everyone. Its advertising necessarily focuses on persuading specific groups to spend their money on tickets, and it’s not uncommon for the prizes of large jackpots to become the subject of much attention. The question is whether promoting this form of gambling serves the public interest, particularly when it leads to negative consequences for problem gamblers and poorer people.

A second theme is that the lottery is a great way to get rich quickly. This message isn’t coded as explicitly as the “lottery is fun” theme, but it’s there nonetheless. It’s a message that suggests you can make the money you need to be happy with a little risk-taking, even if the odds aren’t in your favor.

In this era of income inequality, where many are struggling to keep up with rising housing costs and rents while living paycheck to paycheck, it’s easy to see why some people might be lured in by the promise of instant riches. The truth is, however, that winning the lottery is not a quick route to wealth. The vast majority of lottery winners do not stay wealthy, and most do not have the skills to avoid the pitfalls that can lead to financial ruin.

Another thing to remember is that the lottery is a business. A portion of all ticket sales goes to cover the overhead and salaries for the workers who design scratch-off games, record live lottery drawings, run the websites, and help winners. This is a significant cost, and while it might be tempting to skip some draws in order to save money, this is a mistake. It is better to play a few times a month, and to stick with patterns that are statistically likely to succeed, than to try to win the big jackpot every time.