Example of a lottery ticket from 1746 (IR 55/30)
Private lotteries were created by Acts of Parliament. Tickets were sold to people for as much as £10 each (roughly £500 today). A winning lottery ticket could be exchanged for the prize of a fixed annuity or annual payment.
In the 18th century, lotteries were very popular. They raised enough money to build Westminster Bridge in the 1730s and the British Museum in the 1750s.
Transcript
23m 939 Anno 1746
This ticket entitles the Bearer thereof to Six Pounds,
Part of a Joint Stock attended with Annuities after the Rate of
Four Pounds per Centum per Annum to a better Chance