"The practical man in the street who knows anything about ____ is quite aware that they are in their nature and intention lotteries” (The Economist, 1908) (7,5)
I believe the answer is:
premium bonds
(Other definitions for premium bonds that I've seen before include "Government securities that enter the holder for monthly cash prize draws" , "investments" , "Investment" , "Connery and Craig in the minds of many?" .)