The Lottery is a Gashapon-like minigame in Super Smash Bros. Melee that is used to collect trophies. Players can bet up to 20 Coins to try and win new trophies from the Lottery, with a higher number of coins increasing the player's chances of receiving a new trophy that they do not own. As more trophies are attained in the player's collection, the chances of a getting a new trophy drop, until all potential trophies are won from the Lottery and there exists a 0% chance of getting a trophy.
It is still possible to use the Lottery after all potential trophies have been collected, but it becomes functionally useless after this point.
The Lottery did not return for Super Smash Bros. Brawl, and it was effectively replaced by the Coin Launcher.