Lottery Online
While Lottery Online sites can be a convenient way to buy lottery tickets, they should only be used for official state-sanctioned games. These sites will be regulated by your state’s gaming commission and have secure SSL encryption software to protect player data. Moreover, they will publish winning results and have measures in place to ensure that players receive their prizes.
Purchasing a lottery ticket on the internet will vary from state to state, but most will let you create an account and choose numbers manually or automatically (via Quick Pick options). You will be asked to confirm your age and address to purchase tickets, and you can also register for email updates and get notifications of results. Many sites also offer subscriptions where you can buy tickets on a weekly, monthly or annual basis. Generally, these services cost the same as buying tickets at the lottery office.
The first state to offer its citizens Lottery Online was Illinois in 2012. It has since expanded to allow online ticket purchases in Georgia, Kentucky, Michigan, New Hampshire, and Pennsylvania. Despite the concerns of some that Lottery Online will cannibalize traditional ticket sales, the opposite has occurred. In fact, Lottery Online has boosted state revenue for both its multi-state games (such as Mega Millions and Powerball) and local keno drawings. This has allowed states to improve their prize payouts and invest in their communities.