Currently, only a few states in the US allow online lottery ticket purchases. However, more states are expected to authorize online lotteries in the future. Several states have taken up the idea and are exploring its expansion.
The first state to offer online lottery ticket sales was Illinois, which launched a pilot program in March 2012. The Illinois Lottery website later expanded to include Daily Lottery Games and Instant Games. It later added Powerball tickets.
New Hampshire joined the group of states with an online lottery. Powered by NeoPollard Interactive, the New Hampshire online lottery allows players to buy tickets in multiple states. The proceeds from the lottery go to a variety of public causes, including senior care services and tourism.
The Virginia Lottery offers a number of draw games. The proceeds from these draw games are used to help pay for public school construction and renovations. The lottery also runs three multi-state games. Unlike other multi-state lottery games, the Virginia Lottery’s proceeds are split among the public schools.
Similarly, the Pennsylvania Lottery website features several draw games. The site also includes a virtual sports section, as well as scratch card and instant win games. In the year before the lottery’s online launch, the site reported $4 billion in total game sales.
In recent years, the legal landscape has favored additional states to offer online lottery purchases. This is because bigger ticket sales lead to larger jackpots.
There are several methods of purchasing online tickets, but the best option is to purchase through a lottery agent. The best agents are regulated and licensed. They will send a scan of the ticket to you, and you can then use it to play the official lottery.