a gambling game or method of raising money, as for some public charitable purpose, in which a large number of tickets are sold and a drawing is held for certain prizes.

any scheme for the distribution of prizes by chance.

any happening or process that is or appears to be determined by chance

to look upon life as a lottery.

noun

chance , door prize , gambling , game of chance , lotto , luck of the draw , numbers game , raffle , sweepstake , contest , drawing , gamble , sweepstakes