How to Play the Lottery Online

Lottery Online

Lottery Online

The United States is home to several state-run lottery games, which vary from instant win scratch tickets to traditional drawing-style games with large jackpots. Most of these games are played in person, with some also offered online.

Powerball is the most popular game in the US, with its jackpot reaching into the billions of dollars every year. Currently, nine states and the District of Columbia offer ways to buy Powerball tickets online or through their mobile apps.

Buying Lottery Tickets Online

In order to legally sell lottery tickets, online lottery websites must ensure that players are within their state’s borders, or else they risk violating the Wire Act. These sites use geolocation technology to ensure that anyone attempting to purchase a ticket from outside their state is detected and prevented.

Online Lotteries Are Legal

Thanks to a 2011 opinion from the Department of Justice, online lottery sites are legal in the United States, even though the Wire Act prohibits cross-state sales of lottery tickets. This means that any player in states like Virginia and Michigan who is at least 18 years old can play for prizes up to $100 million!

Online Lottery Sites Are a Good Fit

While some states might consider online lotteries an encroachment on their territory, there are many reasons to think they’re a good fit. First, lottery online sites tend to be regulated by gambling commissions and are more transparent than most brick-and-mortar establishments.