Official lottery is a form of gambling in which numbers or symbols are drawn to win a prize. Lotteries are typically run by state or regional governments. They may also be run by private organizations such as charities. Prizes can range from cash to goods and services, such as cars and houses. The lottery is a popular source of recreation and entertainment for many people.

There are some who believe that lotteries are good for society because they help fund education. However, according to research by the Howard Center, the true picture is far more complicated. The first thing that needs to be understood is that lottery proceeds are very inefficiently collected. Of every dollar spent on a ticket, only about 40 percent goes to the state. This is a tiny percentage of the total revenue that states collect for their actual operations and services.

New Yorkers can play a number-based game called Take5. The jackpot prizes can reach millions of dollars, and the winners are announced each day at 2:30pm and 10:30pm. The winnings are subject to federal, state, and city taxes. New York lottery winners are also required to pay local sales tax on their prizes.

In order to purchase a ticket, you can visit your local convenience store or supermarket. You can also find retailers that sell tickets online. Some of these are legal and regulated, such as Jackpocket. Other services are not, and they operate outside the jurisdiction of the state lottery.