The first evidence of a lottery can be found in the Han Dynasty between 205 and 187 B.C. The lottery was developed to finance a long war and governmental projets such as the building of the Great Wall of China.
The biggest lottery in the world is the Spanish Christmas Lottery, but it doesn't create big single winners.
Organised annually since 1812 and known appropriately as "El Gordo" (the Fat One), it is worth billions of pounds and the three-hour draw is a major TV event every December 22nd.
However, this lottery isn't about individual jackpot bonanzas. The incredibly complex rules prevent very large single payouts. That way, more people go away with a little extra Christmas pocket money!