"I see what you are feeling," replied Charlotte; "you must be surprised, very much surprised -- so lately as Mr. Collins was wishing to marry you. But when you have had time to think it all over, I hope you will be satisfied with what I have done. I am not romantic, you know; I never was. I ask only a comfortable home; and considering Mr. Collins's character, connexions, and situation in life, I am convinced that my chance of happiness with him is as fair as most people can boast on entering the marriage state." (P&P, Chapter 22)

I cannot agree that marriage was thought of as a lottery. Many, many people scheme and work towards the marriage partner they want in JA’s novels. Actions speak louder than chance in JA. When Charlotte Lucas tells Elizabeth Bennet in P&P, Chapter 22, “I am convinced that my chance of happiness with him is as fair as most people can boast on entering the marriage state” it might seem like she is playing at a lottery but I think Charlotte actually gave it a great deal of thought, she even maneuvered to secure him because IMO she is saying only that Mr. Collins will do as well as another, not that she actually believes another in the same situation will be any better or worse than him for her. Obviously, to me at least, Charlotte is much more interested in Mr. Collins’ circumstances than in Mr. Collins himself as we see when Elizabeth visits Charlotte in Hunsford:

“When Mr. Collins could be forgotten, there was really a great air of comfort throughout, and by Charlotte's evident enjoyment of it, Elizabeth supposed he must be often forgotten.” (P&P Chapter 28)