The lottery is very old indeed. However before we go into the history of the lottery I should explain where the name originates. The word originates from the Dutch - loterij - which is translated to mean "destiny".
Most people in the UK believe their lottery is fairly recent. However, the earliest English lottery dates back to 1567.Then in 1612 King James I used lottery money to help build the first British colony in America at Jamestown in Virginia. Even back in the days when Britain was a Roman colony they were having lotteries.
These days European countries have separate lotteries but also have one massive lottery but this is not the first instance of a European lotto draw. Jan Van Eyck had a lottery in 1446 to raise money and offering his paintings as prizes.
In 1465 Belgium had many lotteries that were used to raise funds for city building projects.
The city of Florence held the first Italian lottery in 1530. This was popular and spread to France in 1839 When King Francis used lottery proceeds to ease his mounting debt.
The modern day Dutch lottery is the same game that has been played in the country since its inception in 1726.
China has been having lotteries for millennia and there is a large body of evidence that shows lotteries being held in 200 BC. The proceeds of some of these lotteries were used by the Chinese to pay for the building of The Great Wall.
However, the lottery is much older than that!
There is evidence in the Old Testament for the existence of ancient lotteries. The Book of Numbers clearly indicates that Moses was awarded land from a lottery win.
Most people in the UK believe their lottery is fairly recent. However, the earliest English lottery dates back to 1567.Then in 1612 King James I used lottery money to help build the first British colony in America at Jamestown in Virginia. Even back in the days when Britain was a Roman colony they were having lotteries.
These days European countries have separate lotteries but also have one massive lottery but this is not the first instance of a European lotto draw. Jan Van Eyck had a lottery in 1446 to raise money and offering his paintings as prizes.
In 1465 Belgium had many lotteries that were used to raise funds for city building projects.
The city of Florence held the first Italian lottery in 1530. This was popular and spread to France in 1839 When King Francis used lottery proceeds to ease his mounting debt.
The modern day Dutch lottery is the same game that has been played in the country since its inception in 1726.
China has been having lotteries for millennia and there is a large body of evidence that shows lotteries being held in 200 BC. The proceeds of some of these lotteries were used by the Chinese to pay for the building of The Great Wall.
However, the lottery is much older than that!
There is evidence in the Old Testament for the existence of ancient lotteries. The Book of Numbers clearly indicates that Moses was awarded land from a lottery win.
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