WILLIAMSBURG, May 2, 1777.
Any person inclinable to become an adventurer in the LOTTERY of the UNITED STATES of America may be supplied with tickets at my store in Williamsburg.
JOHN CARTER.
Virginia Gazette (Purdie) May 2, 1777
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The first wave of gaming activity in North America began with the landing of the first European settlers but became much more widespread with the American Revolution. They were used to finance armies, to finance local school systems, hospitals, and capital improvements. On November 18, 1776, the Second Continental Congress established a national lottery to help fund the national government and the Americn war effort. Congress offered up to 100,000 tickets for sale, but sales were slow and did not realize the funds expected.
Sources: Kutler, V 5, p156; Mays, Revolutionary America, p 172
