In the United States, seven jurisdictions operate an online lottery, and eight operated them as recently as 2015. One jurisdiction, Minnesota, shut down its online lottery program in 2011. In 2011, the Department of Justice clarified its position on the Wire Act and opened the door for states to sell tickets through the internet. While some states offer their own online lottery apps, others defer to third-party websites. Those without an online lottery website cite verification challenges as their reason for not launching one.
The benefits of playing an online lottery are many. Not only is playing lottery games convenient, but there are great chances to win life-changing amounts. Though the odds are long, these jackpots are still attractive to many lottery players. For example, the odds of winning $2 in Mega Millions are 1 in 37, but for any other lottery prize, the odds are as low as one in 24. If you are fortunate enough to win a jackpot, you’ll want to plan ahead to protect your money.
Legitimate lottery sites are safe to play on. These sites are licensed and regulated by your state’s gaming authority. They provide easy access to results, promotions, and more. Aside from offering a huge selection of lottery games, a legit online lottery site will also offer a variety of promotions and discounts. For added security, make sure you use a secure payment method. While it may seem like a daunting task, the benefits of playing online are numerous.
When purchasing tickets, check if they’re legal. Online lotteries generally use geolocation to track players’ locations. However, if you’re buying a ticket in person, it doesn’t matter where you are. In addition, check if the lottery site you’re using offers the same restrictions for players. You might find that your ticket won’t be accepted by all websites. But you don’t want to risk losing money on a scam – or worse, a phishing scam. So make sure to do your homework.
You can play an online lottery in the United States without risking your money. There are only a handful of states that explicitly ban online lotteries. The laws in each state vary, and you should check with your state to find out if online lotteries are legal in your state. You can even buy tickets from overseas lottery sites. In fact, some states have a legal online lottery. So don’t be intimidated if you live in a state that bans online lottery games.
Besides the legality of online lottery sites, they also require that you be of legal gambling age. Some states require a higher minimum age for playing the lottery online. The age to play lottery games is 18 in most states, though some jurisdictions have higher minimum age requirements. You’ll never know when you might win a million dollars. And the best part? The lottery sites also offer a variety of tips, promotions, and tools to help you get the best odds of winning.