The answer
The sin is in the desire and intent of hoping to win the lottery which stems from coveting (c. Exodus 20:17) something that is not acquired by your own wages, hard work, granted through inheritance, or given as a gift. Playing the lottery sets you up to covet wealth, succumb to laziness, lose hope in God who is the source of all goodness and richness, lose trust in God's promise to take care of you, and fill your heart with the love of money, which is the root of all evil and greed, and is inconsistent with a spiritual life and the virtue of contentment (1 Timothy 6:10)."Let your conduct be without covetousness; be content with such things as you have. For He Himself has said, 'I will never leave you nor forsake you'" (Hebrew 13:5).
Answered by His Eminence Metropolitan Youssef (opens in a new tab)