The United States is home to over forty-five states, territories and the District of Columbia. These jurisdictions operate various lottery systems.
Some of these lotteries offer online ticket sales while others are merely drawing games. There are some advantages and disadvantages to both.
Online lottery sites offer secure payment methods and instant win games. Some have jackpots that can reach millions. Most online sites are controlled by independent regulators or licensed bodies.
Some have multi-state draw games, which are a result of state teamwork. In many cases, the money is sent to the state school fund.
Many states have authorized official courier services to handle tickets. Some of these services have emerged in recent years. However, the legality of offshore lottery providers is questionable.
Several states have considered expanding their online presence. The Kentucky Lottery, Illinois Lottery and Connecticut Lottery are among those that have considered launching online subscriptions or lottery ticket sales.
Pennsylvania iLottery has been around since 2018. It started out with a small collection of instant win games. They were subsequently expanded to include real-world draw games.
Aside from the obvious, a state-sponsored online lottery site charges the same price as a traditional in-person purchase. All games must pass a safety test and be approved by a legal body.
Online lottery tickets are not widely available. However, more states are expected to approve them in the future. Ultimately, the legal landscape will favor those states that have recently approved these services.