Alot and A lot

The difference is that I recognise 'a lot'.

Your 'alot' may be used in other countries, although I doubt it, but not in the UK.

It probably means the same, and is some sort of 'olde worlde' way of writing it. Shakesperian in style.

"Alot" does not exist in the English language. I suspect it's just another example of how "text speak" is warping our language.

Alot is a crappy misspelling of a lot.

Alottery.

In American English 'alot' is a misuse or misspelling of the the 2-word phrase 'a lot'. I can't speak for the usage in Brit English.

Correct example: I really love her a lot.

In order to further distinguish another similar word (with a dissimilar meaning), there's the word 'Allot', which means to apportion, as in an allotment.

The situation is the same in British English.

a lot is a phrase

alot is http://grammarist.com/spelling/a-lot-alot/