Lottery is a game in which people pay money to buy tickets and then hope to win a prize based on the drawing of lots. Usually the winning prize is cash, but sometimes it can be goods or services. It is a type of gambling that is legal in most jurisdictions. There are many different types of lottery games. Some are played by individuals, while others are sponsored by governments or other organizations as a way of raising funds.

The casting of lots to determine fates and allocate benefits has a long history in human society, with numerous examples in the Bible and in other ancient texts. The first known public lottery was held in the Roman Empire, for the purpose of paying for repairs in the city of Rome. Later, the use of the lottery to distribute prizes in the form of articles of unequal value became widespread. The earliest lottery with tickets sold and prizes in the form of cash was recorded in the 15th century in the Low Countries (Bruges, Ghent, and Utrecht).

While there is an element of luck involved, there are also many factors that influence whether someone will win the lottery. Some of these factors include the number of tickets purchased, the percentage of the total ticket sales that are deemed winners, and the total amount of money won. People tend to purchase more tickets in larger jackpot drawings, and they are also more likely to play if they have relatives who have won in the past.

Many states have enacted lotteries to raise money for state projects. The history of these lotteries reveals that they are a fairly effective tool for raising funds, and they enjoy broad public support. Some states even earmark the proceeds of the lottery for specific purposes, such as education.

Despite their widespread popularity, lotteries have some serious shortcomings. For one thing, they encourage gambling addiction, especially among young people. The ubiquity of lottery advertising and the constant presence of jackpot announcements send the message that it is okay to gamble, and that winning the lottery is a good way to get rich quick.

Another problem is that the proceeds of a lottery are often earmarked for particular uses, which creates an incentive for state government officials to maintain or expand those programs. This is particularly true in times of economic stress, when officials can point to the increased revenue from the lottery as a way to avoid tax increases or cuts in public services.

There are two ways to receive your lottery payments: a lump sum or an annuity. A lump sum offers immediate cash, while an annuity provides steady and guaranteed income over time. Choose the option that best fits your financial goals and the rules of your state’s lottery.

Hong Kong is an energetic center of culture, reflecting views on global change through various art forms. This prize offers artists recognition, support and encouragement in their creative work, arts projects or further studies; increases international visibility via top-tier media coverage as well as access to an incredible network of potential collaborators – this truly unique and exciting opportunity awaits!

The award is funded by the late Professor Wang Gungwu () through his bequest. It aims to encourage the study of Hong Kong history at undergraduate and postgraduate levels and raise awareness about local history’s role in society. The winner will receive a cash prize of HK$25,000 and an engraved medallion.

The Hong Kong Student Prize is a competition to discover and recognise the outstanding artistic talents of secondary school students in the city. It is open to all enrolled secondary school students who are nominated by their teachers to take part. Applicants may submit up to three artworks online. The winners will be announced in November 2019.

China Daily pocketed 11 prizes including two champions and three first-runners-up at the Hong Kong News Awards, a new milestone in its decade-long winning streak. Business reporter Liu Yifan won the top spot in the Best Business News Writing (English) category with his report titled Virtually Painful, which exposes the risks of cryptocurrency investments.

A team from the Hong Kong Philharmonic Orchestra won the best overall performance prize for their recording of Wagner’s Ring Cycle. The project was completed in four years and drew praise from music-lovers around the world.

In the Best News Story Writing (English) category, Xi Tianqi, a rookie journalist at China Daily who joined the department only this year, won first runner-up with her two in-depth pieces titled Securing a New Lease on Life and At a Crossroads, which cover the issues of cross-border organ transplantation and fertility perseverance respectively.

Copy editor James Cook earned second runner-up for his innovative title In the Green Fast Lane, which highlights Hong Kong’s efforts to promote the adoption of public and private electric vehicles. Meanwhile, photo editor Andy Chong Chun-pong and photographer Edmond Tang Wing-on both won first merit in the Best Photography (News) category for their photos titled Piggyback Paddling and Making Waves respectively.

The HK$5 million BOCHK Science and Technology Innovation Prize was launched in 2022 to attract world-class scientific talent to Hong Kong while supporting forward-thinking scientists as they build an active research hub for Hong Kong. A review board — comprising an independent Review Committee and Compliance Oversight Team — will evaluate candidates based on the scientific merits of their research achievements as well as the application, transformation or social value they create. The final decision on the winning researchers will be made by the Board of the BOCHK Science and Technology Innovation Prize.