Lottery Online is a growing trend that allows players to purchase lottery tickets from their computers or mobile devices. These websites are primarily operated by state-sponsored lotteries, which provide a direct route into local and national draws.
In the US, lotteries operate in 45 states, plus Washington DC and Puerto Rico. These state lotteries offer a variety of instant win and drawing games unique to each jurisdiction. They also participate in major multi-state lottery games such as Powerball and Mega Millions.
The first online lottery sale in the US took place in Illinois, which started offering subscriptions to both Lotto and Mega Millions in 2012. Subscriptions allow players to purchase tickets for weeks, months or a year on a recurring basis, giving them the opportunity to avoid having to buy individual lottery tickets each week.
Most state lottery websites have a “subscriptions” section that players can access to purchase tickets. Buying these subscriptions is much easier than purchasing them one at a time, and they often offer lower prices than single tickets.
Some online lotteries are run by lottery agents, who go out and purchase tickets for you on your behalf. These are typically less expensive than buying tickets through official lottery sites, but the agent may charge a handling fee.
There are two main types of lottery sites: official and non-official. These are both regulated by gambling commissions and have security measures in place to ensure that your money is safe and that you receive your prizes when you win.