Between the XV and XVII centuries lottery drawings are widely used throughout Europe. The first mention of the lottery holding in the European countries is associated with the raffle, which was organized by the widow of the Flemish artist Jan van Eyck, timed to the 25th anniversary of his death. The lottery was held in Bruges, today’s Belgium, and dates back to the 27th of February 1466. Anyone who bought a lottery ticket could take part in the lottery and get a monetary reward. The money raised went to support the urban poor. After 1466 all kinds of lottery were held in Belgium, through which chapels, almshouses, canals, and port facilities were built.