Lottery Online enables you to buy lottery tickets and participate in drawings on the internet. You can purchase tickets for state-level and major multi-state draws such as Powerball and Mega Millions from your computer or mobile device. Many state lotteries also offer instant win scratch cards that can be played on the web or apps.
Online Subscriptions – Play the Lottery from Home
Almost every state offers online subscription services that allow you to register, pay for tickets, see past results and extend your subscription from the comfort of your own home. These services are more convenient than buying individual tickets.
Third Party Courier Agents – Ticket Brokerage
Another option is to use third-party courier services that will send agents to physically buy lottery tickets from authorized retailers. They can also scan your ticket for you and provide proof of ownership. However, you should check out the handling fee before you choose to use them.
Legality of Online Lottery Sales – The Wire Act
The US federal law that prohibits lottery sales across state lines is called the Wire Act. However, a legal opinion by the Department of Justice in 2011 determined that selling lottery tickets to customers within a state’s borders was not a violation of the Wire Act. This opinion cleared the way for states to begin legal online lottery sales.
In 2018, New Hampshire became the first state to sell lottery tickets online. Other Northeastern states, such as Massachusetts, Rhode Island and New Jersey, are in various phases of attempting to legalize online lottery sales.