Lottery Online
A growing number of state lotteries are offering players the option to purchase tickets online and on mobile devices. The idea is to make it easier and more convenient for players to get their lottery fix, while reducing ticket sales at traditional brick-and-mortar stores. Some states are also offering subscription services that allow players to pre-pay for several drawings in advance. These options can be a great time saver and are ideal for busy people.
While some states’ online offerings are more robust than others, all state-sanctioned lotteries offer the same basic functionality. Typically, users sign up for an account and either input their own numbers or use Quick Pick options to select them automatically. Then they can choose which draws to participate in or even pre-pay for up to 104 draws in advance. Most of the official sites also provide a range of additional tools to help players make the most of their experience, such as a “My Lucky Numbers” feature that automatically inputs any picked numbers you’ve designated as your favorites.
Another big advantage of the official site is that it charges the same price for online lottery purchases as in person, eliminating any premium charged to offset convenience fees. In addition, all reputable and licensed sites should have secure payment methods and use SSL encryption software to keep your details safe from scammers.
The District of Columbia was the latest to move its lottery online, launching its iLottery website in January 2021. The site features a variety of instant games, including popular titles like Street Fighter II Instant Win and Jungle Tumble Jackpots. Prices for games start at just $0.05 and top prizes reach as high as $20.