Unlike online casinos and poker, where the law prohibits online sales, lottery sites can legally allow players to buy and play tickets in the US. These sites use geolocation technology to ensure that all customers are located within the same state as their account, while blocking out any out-of-state attempts at purchase.
The Best Online Lottery Websites
A good lottery site will offer a wide selection of games, promotions, and secure, reputable payment options. It should also be easy to navigate, and provide support for both desktop computers and mobile devices.
Legal Online Lottery Apps
In addition to offering a full suite of lottery-related games, many legal online lotteries also offer mobile apps that are available for both iOS and Android devices. You can download these apps directly from a state lottery’s website and use them on your mobile device to make purchases for in-state instant win and draw games as well as national draws like Powerball and MegaMillions.
The North Carolina Lottery, for example, offers a variety of instant win and drawing games on its website, including several multistate games like Powerball and Mega Millions as well as Lucky for Life. It also has a dedicated mobile application that lets players scan their tickets to earn rewards on the go.
Most US online lottery websites feature easy-to-understand winnings payout procedures that include automated crediting of small prizes and a more complicated process for larger ones, such as jackpots. In the case of jackpots, players will need to submit proof of identity or claim their prize in person.
There are a handful of US states that offer legal online lottery tickets and subscriptions, with more likely to follow suit in the near future. These states include California, Connecticut, Massachusetts, Nevada, New York, and Pennsylvania.
In addition to the standard games, some US lottery websites offer online scratchcards and keno games. These games can be played for a small fee and can be won by matching numbers from a specific pool.
Online Lottery Games for Mobile
Almost all legal lottery websites have a dedicated mobile app that allows users to play their favorite games on the go. These apps are typically available on most major mobile operating systems, and they’re free to download from the App Store for iOS and Google Play for Android.
The mobile apps allow you to choose your number from a pool of random numbers, and they often have additional features like ticket-scanning. The mobile apps also allow you to view the results of past draws and see if any winners have yet to be announced.
These mobile apps are a great way to stay up-to-date on the latest jackpots and prizes, but you should be sure to read the terms of service before registering with any online lottery. Most websites will require you to verify your age and address before allowing you to purchase any tickets.
A Lottery Agent
If you’re looking for an alternative to the traditional lottery experience, you should check out an online lottery agent. These sites will connect you to lottery agents in your state who can buy tickets on your behalf, and then upload them to a secure online database. Once you’ve won, these agents will courier your tickets to your doorstep so that you can claim them.