Is Lottery Haram? The Islamic Ruling on Gambling

Yes, the lottery is haram in Islam. It falls under maysir (gambling), which Allah (SWT) explicitly forbade in the Quran. This is not a close call. Every major scholar and school of thought agrees on this without exception.

It does not matter whether it is a state lottery, Powerball, scratch-off card, or online draw. If you pay money for a chance to win a prize determined by luck, that is gambling, and gambling is prohibited.

Quick Answer: The lottery is haram by unanimous scholarly consensus. It is a form of maysir (gambling), forbidden in Surah Al-Ma'idah (5:90-91). The Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) prohibited all forms of gambling. There is no minimum ticket price or jackpot size that makes it permissible.

Want to check if something else is halal or haram? Try the Halal Checker below.

The Evidence From Quran and Sunnah

The Quran addresses gambling directly and severely. Allah says:

يَا أَيُّهَا الَّذِينَ آمَنُوا إِنَّمَا الْخَمْرُ وَالْمَيْسِرُ وَالْأَنصَابُ وَالْأَزْلَامُ رِجْسٌ مِّنْ عَمَلِ الشَّيْطَانِ فَاجْتَنِبُوهُ لَعَلَّكُمْ تُفْلِحُونَ

Ya ayyuha alladhina amanu innama al-khamru wa al-maysiru wa al-ansabu wa al-azlamu rijsun min 'amali ash-shaytani fajtanibuhu la'allakum tuflihun

"O you who believe, indeed intoxicants, gambling, stone altars, and divining arrows are but defilement from the work of Satan, so avoid them that you may be successful." — Surah Al-Ma'idah, 5:90

The very next verse explains why:

إِنَّمَا يُرِيدُ الشَّيْطَانُ أَن يُوقِعَ بَيْنَكُمُ الْعَدَاوَةَ وَالْبَغْضَاءَ فِي الْخَمْرِ وَالْمَيْسِرِ وَيَصُدَّكُمْ عَن ذِكْرِ اللَّهِ وَعَنِ الصَّلَاةِ فَهَلْ أَنتُم مُّنتَهُونَ

Innama yuridu ash-shaytanu an yuqi'a baynakumu al-'adawata wa al-baghda'a fi al-khamri wa al-maysiri wa yasuddakum 'an dhikri Allahi wa 'an as-salati fahal antum muntahun

"Satan only wants to cause between you animosity and hatred through intoxicants and gambling and to avert you from the remembrance of Allah and from prayer. So will you not desist?" — Surah Al-Ma'idah, 5:91

Notice that Allah placed gambling right alongside alcohol — calling both "defilement from the work of Satan." The command is fajtanibuhu — avoid it entirely, not merely "be careful with it."

From the Sunnah, the Prophet (peace be upon him) said:

"Whoever says to his companion, 'Come, let me gamble with you,' should give in charity (as expiation)." — Narrated by al-Bukhari, 4860; Muslim, 1647

Even mentioning gambling casually carries a recommended expiation. This shows how seriously Islam treats the matter.

Why the Lottery Is Maysir

Some people argue the lottery is different from "real" gambling because it feels more like a harmless game. But the definition of maysir in Islamic law is straightforward: any transaction where you risk money on an uncertain outcome determined by chance.

The lottery fits this definition perfectly:

• You pay money for a ticket
• The outcome is entirely based on chance
• You either lose your money or win a disproportionate amount
• There is no skill, labor, or legitimate exchange involved

It does not matter that the odds are published, that the government runs it, or that some proceeds go to charity. The mechanism is gambling, and the label does not change the reality.

Scholar Opinions

All four major schools of Islamic jurisprudence unanimously agree that the lottery is haram. This is one of the clearest points of consensus in Islamic law regarding modern financial practices.

Sheikh Ibn Baz, Sheikh Ibn Uthaymeen, and the Permanent Committee for Scholarly Research and Ifta in Saudi Arabia have all explicitly stated that lotteries are haram. The reasoning is simple: the lottery is maysir in its purest form. You hand over money and receive nothing of value in return except a chance — and chance is not a legitimate commodity in Islam.

This distinguishes it from permissible risk, like investing in stocks or businesses, where you own a real asset and your return is tied to genuine economic activity.

Conditions and Gray Areas

Receiving a Free Lottery Ticket

If someone gives you a lottery ticket as a gift and you did not pay for it, some scholars still advise against using it because it involves participating in a gambling system. The safer opinion is to discard it. If you unknowingly receive winnings from a gifted ticket, most scholars say you should give that money to charity rather than keeping it.

Charity Raffles

Many organizations run "charity raffles" where you buy a ticket and the proceeds go to a good cause. Despite the charitable intention, if you pay money for a chance to win a prize, it is still maysir. The charitable purpose does not change the underlying mechanism. You can simply donate to charity directly without the gambling element.

Workplace Raffles and Prize Draws

If your workplace runs a draw where you must pay to enter, it is gambling. However, if a company gives away prizes through a free draw — where no purchase or payment is required — many scholars permit this, as there is no element of risking your wealth. The key question is always: did you pay money for a chance to win?

For a broader understanding of what is and is not permissible, see our guide on halal vs haram.

Common Questions

Are scratch cards haram?

Yes. Scratch cards are simply a lottery in a different format. You pay a fixed price, scratch off a panel, and either win or lose based purely on chance. This is textbook maysir. The small price of the ticket does not make it permissible — interest is haram whether it is 1% or 100%, and gambling is haram whether the ticket costs $1 or$100.

What should I do with lottery winnings?

If you have already received lottery winnings, scholars advise giving the money away to those in need — not as sadaqah (charity you expect reward for), but simply to dispose of impure wealth. You should not use it for personal benefit, and you should make sincere tawbah (repentance) and resolve not to gamble again.

Is it haram to buy a lottery ticket for someone else?

Yes. Just as the hadith in Sahih Muslim (1598) curses everyone involved in an interest transaction — the payer, receiver, writer, and witnesses — facilitating gambling for others is also sinful. Buying a ticket for someone else is participating in and enabling maysir.

Summary

The lottery is haram in Islam. It is a clear and direct form of maysir (gambling), which Allah prohibited in Surah Al-Ma'idah (5:90-91) alongside intoxicants, calling it "defilement from the work of Satan." All four madhabs agree unanimously. This ruling covers all forms — state lotteries, scratch cards, online draws, and charity raffles where payment is required.

Instead of chasing uncertain winnings, focus on earning through halal means, keep up your daily prayers, and trust in Allah's provision. And Allah knows best (والله أعلم).