Online lottery ticket sales are a recent phenomenon in the US. Some states have already begun offering online lottery games, while others are on the verge of doing so.
While most states are still working out the rules surrounding online ticket sales, the legal landscape is increasingly favorable for additional states. As of now, seven states have enacted legislation permitting the sale of tickets online.
One of the earliest states to offer lottery tickets online is Georgia. Their site features a variety of instant win scratch cards that cost as little as 10 cents. Players are able to buy tickets from a desktop or laptop computer.
Another state, Rhode Island, launched an online lottery in the summer of 2020. The lottery calls its instant win games e-Instants. These games are drawn twice daily and winners can choose from a variety of “Box Plays” payouts.
The largest multi-state lottery in the United States, MegaMillions, offers ticket purchases in 45 states. It also offers purchases in Washington DC. In addition, the Virgin Islands operate a lotteries.
The biggest national lottery, Powerball, offers purchase in all fifty states and the US Virgin Islands. However, players who win prizes over $600 are required to fill out a claim form and visit a lottery office.
Lotteries in the US have a long history. Newspaper ads from the colonial era indicate the existence of hundreds of lotteries. Today, the industry is experiencing a technological revolution. Internet 2.0 allows for secure payments and winnings, which are important for both lottery and casino operators.