Lottery Online is a relatively new concept that allows players to purchase tickets over the Internet. It is a safe and convenient way to play the lottery without leaving home. Legitimate sites are regulated by state gaming authorities and offer numerous payment options and secure SSL encryption software. However, scams are also a problem, so it is important to read reviews and understand how the system works before making a deposit.
Most states now allow lottery players to buy a ticket online or through a mobile app. Some sites even offer subscription services, allowing customers to purchase tickets into every drawing for a week to several weeks at a time. In addition to offering traditional lottery games, some online lottery sites also feature instant-win scratch tickets and other casino-like gambling games.
The first US state to allow online lottery sales was Illinois in 2012. Other states followed suit, and as of 2016, there are six that sell state-licensed lotteries via the Internet: Georgia, Illinois, Kentucky, Michigan, New Hampshire, and Pennsylvania. There are also private online lotteries, such as Jackpocket, that let you place bets on the results of popular lotteries but do not actually sell any official tickets.
While some states have a legal requirement that players must visit a retailer to purchase a ticket, there are others, including Massachusetts, that are considering moving the process online. At a legislative hearing, representatives of the New England Convenience Store and Energy Marketers Association and the Massachusetts Package Stores Association argued that online lottery sales would hurt their profits by cutting into foot traffic.