With the proliferation of the internet, some US states have begun to offer online lottery tickets. While UIGEA does not prohibit these sales, some states still restrict online purchases because of the verification process involved. However, more states are considering online lotteries as a revenue-generating opportunity. Before you begin, make sure you know the legal implications.
Online lottery games are relatively new to the United States, and there aren’t many of them available. You can choose from a variety of Instant Games, which are similar to scratch-off lotteries. These games require players to select numbers on the screen and then enter payment information. The prize money varies, with jackpots up to several million dollars. If you win, you can claim your prizes online, or you can visit a lottery office in your area for larger payouts.
Some states have launched online lottery sites, and others have deferred to third party applications. There are also a number of offshore lottery providers that advertise the sale of tickets online.
In order to play an online lottery, you must be 18 years old and a resident of the state in which you plan to purchase your tickets. A few states require that you be a native resident of the state. Other requirements vary from state to state.
In addition to the usual lottery games, some states also offer bingo and other lottery-style raffles. These games offer a number of features to help you find winning patterns and a chance to win big. Players can even set a spending limit for their accounts.
There are only seven jurisdictions in the US that offer official online lottery services. They are California, Illinois, Kentucky, New Hampshire, Pennsylvania, and Rhode Island. Despite the relative obscurity of the concept, these states have seen substantial growth in their traditional ticket sales since their online offerings debuted.
Since the launch of the online lottery in Pennsylvania in 2018, a variety of games have been added. Initially, the iLottery featured only a small collection of Instant Win Games. But this has expanded to include tickets for real-world draws. Among the newer releases are Prospector’s Jackpots and Doublin’ Doubloons.
Another new feature in Pennsylvania is the ability to buy scratch cards online. Users can buy tickets for games like Keno, Pick-3, Pick-4, and the Powerball. All of these instant win games can be played from any device, including smartphones and tablets.
Some other states, such as Michigan, have also recently introduced online lotteries. Most lottery sites only sell tickets for jackpots, but a handful of states are experimenting with subscriptions. Subscriptions allow customers to buy tickets for each drawing. This is almost as convenient as buying in person, with the additional bonus of being able to check the latest winning numbers.
New York and Illinois requested the Department of Justice for an opinion on online lottery purchases, and both state governments ultimately decided against offering them. Maryland, Massachusetts, and Rhode Island are in the early stages of implementing their own online lottery systems.
