Online Lottery is a service that allows players to purchase lottery tickets online. These services typically offer the same prices as brick-and-mortar shops, but without any additional handling fees. In addition, they often offer lottery subscriptions that allow customers to automatically buy tickets for weeks, months, or even a year at a time. However, before you can begin purchasing tickets online, you must be a resident of your state and over the age of 18.
Online lottery sales are growing rapidly in the US. The first US state to launch an online lottery was Illinois in March 2012. Since then, several more states have joined the party. Some of these offer only their own state-specific games, while others participate in the multi-state Powerball and Mega Millions lotteries.
While the big jackpots get all the attention, there are also many smaller prizes to be won with the best online lottery sites. The best sites are not government-run, but they do act as middlemen between lottery players and the official state lotteries. These sites will let you purchase entries to the official games and can provide a variety of other information, such as past winners, odds, and current jackpots.
When you play the lottery online, you can use any computer or mobile device to access the site. You will need to create an account, which is usually free. Once you have done this, you can choose the game and select your numbers, either manually or through quick-pick options. Some of these websites will also allow you to set daily, weekly, or monthly spending limits to help you keep your gambling under control.
Another great thing about the best online lottery sites is that they are regulated by gaming commissions, so you can rest assured that you’re playing at a legitimate site. Nonetheless, it’s always up to the player to stay safe and responsible. Remember to set spending limits and read the terms of service before you start playing.
In addition to the online lotteries, some states have also begun offering instant-win games on their websites. Pennsylvania was the latest to do so, launching its iLottery platform in 2018. While opponents have valid concerns about problem gambling and state budgets, there are no signs that online lottery products have cannibalized traditional ticket sales. In fact, traditional lottery sales have continued to grow in states that have launched online lotteries.