If you’re looking to become a retailer for lottery products, you should start by contacting your state’s lottery office. They will have information about compensation and benefits. You will also need to fill out an application, which is usually available online. Typically, you’ll need to provide your business address; the legal name of the company; your liquor license number, if applicable; and personal information.

In the United States, lotteries are operated independently by each state and local jurisdiction. There are no national lotteries, although there are consortiums of state lotteries that organize games spanning larger geographical footprints. These games often carry larger jackpots.

Lottery prizes can be either cash or goods. Generally, prize funds are a fixed percentage of ticket sales. This format reduces the risk of the organizers if insufficient tickets are sold. For example, the prize fund for a New York state lottery game may be 50% of all receipts, or some other proportion.

Lottery rules vary by state, but most state laws permit people to play only if they’re at least 21 years old. The rules also prohibit the purchase of lottery tickets by anyone under 21, including family members, friends and neighbors. Players must be aware of the potential for gambling addiction and seek help if they have problems. Also, they should never gamble with money that they cannot afford to lose. They should view lottery games as a form of entertainment and not an investment.