Lottery Online

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Updated:
January 9th 2024

Online Lottery in the US

It’s fair to say that the lottery is the oldest modern form of established and legal gambling, and in order to keep up with the ever-changing technological landscape, it has transitioned almost seamlessly to the online world. Buying lottery tickets is now easier than ever–no more late-night or post-work trips to the gas station, you can buy your lottery tickets online at a number of legal and regulated online lottery operators.

The online lottery is extremely similar to buying a lottery ticket at a gas station. It is only legal in some states, but in New York, for example, you can play for the Mega Millions jackpot from the comfort of your own home! That means you can win hundreds of millions of dollars at home, without even leaving the couch or putting on pants.

How To Play the Lottery

Playing the lottery is extremely easy–it’s winning that is the hard part. For most lotteries, you have to choose 5 numbers from a list of at least 70. Then, you have to pick a bonus number (typically 1-25). Then, every couple of days, there is a drawing. Each number is represented by a ball in a machine, and the machine shoots out six balls in every drawing. Those balls that are shot out represent the winning lottery numbers. In order to win the jackpot, you have to match all five of your normal numbers as WELL as the bonus number. You still get a prize for each number you match, but it is significantly lower than the jackpot. Matching all five of your normal numbers usually nets you about $1 million dollars, while matching just one number usually nets you just $2 (the price of most lottery tickets).

The jackpot amount is determined by how many people buy lottery tickets. If no one wins, the jackpot carries over to the next drawing, and however many people buy tickets that amount is then added to the jackpot (so it is progressive).

How to Play the Online Lottery

Playing the online lottery is just as easy as playing the lottery with a physical ticket. You will be asked to pick numbers, there will be a drawing, and (if you’re lucky) there will be a payout. What could be the hardest part about playing the online lottery is finding out where you can do so. If you’re running into that problem yourself, you’re in the right place.

Is Buying Online Lottery in the US Legal?

It was believed that the Federal Wire Act made it illegal to sell lottery tickets online. Yet, with the increasing pressure on the government for increased expenses, innovative ideas are required to increase revenue without raising the already hiking taxes.

By late 2011 itself, the hold of the Wire Act had been loosened and was said only applicable to sports betting. The Justice Department made it clear that state-by-state online selling of Lottery tickets is legal.

Following this, many states have started the transition, and now the pace is increasing. Illinois, which came into online lottery sales first, reported gathering more than $425,000 just in the first week itself.

It is important to note down that only the state members can take part in the Lottery in most cases. To enjoy the facilities provided by a state-owned Online Lottery website, you should be a user from a particular state.

The Geolocation facility is utilized to figure out where from where the user is accessing the facility.

Where can you play the lottery online?

As things currently stand, 44 states have their own version of the lottery. Unfortunately, that does not mean you can play the online lottery in 44 states. Currently, the following states are the only ones that let you legally buy lottery tickets online from the state lottery itself:

  • Georgia

  • Illinois

  • Kentucky

  • Michigan

  • New Hampshire

  • North Dakota

  • Pennsylvania

Many of the participating states have tight restrictions on ticket sales: for example, some only allow residents of their state to buy online tickets. This differs to how most online sportsbooks and casinos operate, which only require you to be located in the state to play–you do not have to be a resident. Some states like Massachusettes offer other games through their lottery commission, like the wildly popular Mass Lottery Keno.

Best Options for Online Lottery Tickets in the US

If you are a resident of any of the aforementioned states, then the best way to purchase online lottery tickets is through the lottery itself. Just go to your lotto’s website (some even have an app) and you should see the option to purchase tickets online there. However, just because your state is not only that list doesn’t mean you can’t participate in the online lottery. There are a ton of different apps and lottery companies that make it safe and LEGAL for those in other states to play the online lottery. Some online lottery sites offer a no deposit bonus just like many online casinos do.

How they manage this is, you pick your numbers and pay, and then someone that works for the company goes and buys the ticket for you. The winnings are 100% yours, and there is a number of safe and credited apps that operate like this.

Jackpocket

Jackpocket is a lottery courier service that allows you to buy state lottery tickets through an app. This app is the preferred lottery courier service in many states and purchases lottery tickets on behalf of its users - new players can get Jackpocket free tickets here! Jackpocket is legal in the following states:

  • Arkansas

  • California

  • Colorado

  • Florida

  • Minnesota

  • New Hampshire

  • New Jersey

  • New York

  • Ohio

  • Oregon

  • Texas

  • Washington DC

Is Jackpocket Legit?

Yes, Jackpocket is also totally legit.

It’s understandable why some users may be wary of purchasing their lottery tickets from a third-party vendor. Will winning tickets be paid out or delivered within a reasonable timeframe? Are lottery tickets sold through this platform rigged? How does Jackpocket even make money?

Since Jackpocket is registered with each state and strives to become the official lottery courier service of each state, it has its name and reputation to uphold!

Tickets are tied to their unique user’s identity, so no one will accidentally receive another user’s missing winning ticket.

All tickets purchased through the app are real tickets, and players will get a scanned image of their ticket with a watermark of their name on the image emailed to the address associated with their account. All tickets are securely stored in fireproof safes under strict control policies.

Depending on the state where you live, Jackpocket will need to follow a different set of laws. Tickets and games are tailored to players’ home states.

All players are encouraged to practice safe betting and follow steps recommended by each state to protect their winnings, including:

  • Signing the back of each ticket

  • Taking photos of the front and back of tickets

  • Sending tickets via registered mail

  • Making copies of tickets and claim forms

Is it safe to Buy Online Lottery in the US?

The short answer is Yes. With enough research and equipped with needed knowledge, you can safely transact in a trustworthy website to buy lottery tickets in the US.

The essential thing you need to be mindful of is to be wary of scammers. For that, you must always double-check the credibility of a website using government-authorized indices. This means you must look for the hallmarks of Trust that are provided by the country. Double-check if the hallmarks are real.

Most of the online lottery sites in the US have a secure payment option, making the website liable to the authority. Take a look at the security requirements you've to check out when planning to be a website user.

Security and Trust Symbols: The symbols that could mean the site is reliable include McAfee Secure, Norton Secured, VeriSign Secured, TRUSTe certified privacy, GeoTrust secure shopping, etc. Just be aware that some trust symbols could be from not that reputed or lesser-known companies. If there are no security logos, it cannot be assumed that the site is unreliable. Look out for more signs.

SSL Encrypted Site: As said earlier, logos are the most faked in almost every spammer site. So for an extra safety measure, check out for SSL Encryption. This is tough for a spammer to fake. And this makes transactions safer from hacks too. Most of the sensitive private data provided for a trade is secure with this. Check for a green URL address or lock sign on the browser.

Regulations and License: A legitimate site will have a license from the gaming commission as it is strictly regulated. Suppose they refuse to give you the winning price; you can hold them liable under the law when it is under national and international regulations.

Customer Support: Check for the customer grievance facility available before doing any transaction, as this shows their availability to help you out in need.

Policy Transparency: You can find valuable information under terms of use to check all the fees they charge and other policy breakdowns. They should be showing every detail you should know if they are reliable.

Conclusion

Any legitimate online lottery site in the US will not hesitate to be transparent and provide all the information you need to know. If you feel wary of any site under consideration after reading the information provided, skip that one immediately.

There is no limit to the location to participate in famous lottery contests anywhere in the world from your home. Don't fret about getting as much knowledge you can muster before you make this endeavor. Every one among us has dreamt of winning vast sums of money in lotteries and spending the rest of our lives with all the luxuries in the world. Keeping the spirits high, you should continue buying lotteries, because you never know, tomorrow can be your day!

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