Definition ∞ A cryptographically verifiable lottery is a system that uses cryptographic principles to ensure the fairness and transparency of random selection. Participants can independently verify that the lottery outcome was generated honestly and without bias. This involves public algorithms and verifiable random functions. Such lotteries remove the need for trust in a central authority.
Context ∞ Cryptographically verifiable lotteries are often discussed in the context of decentralized governance, random committee selection in blockchain protocols, and fair distribution mechanisms for digital assets. Their implementation is critical for maintaining confidence in systems requiring impartial randomness. Ongoing developments aim to make these systems more efficient and accessible for various applications.