Buying tickets for a lottery online is a convenient way to play a lottery without leaving your home. You can purchase a ticket in minutes no matter where you are. Some of the top lottery websites are mobile-friendly, allowing you to play on any type of device. The downside to online lottery sites is that they tend to only carry the largest lotteries, and you may not be able to play a small-town lottery if you live in a smaller city.
Many states have approved online lottery sales, including subscription services that allow players to purchase tickets for all drawings at a certain price. Online lottery subscriptions are available in some states, and the price will vary based on how often you wish to play. However, official state lottery websites charge the same price for tickets purchased online as in the real world. Legislation governing lottery sales online is still being formulated, and it’s important to know what the rules are before buying tickets.
Currently, seven jurisdictions offer online lotteries. In 2015, eight jurisdictions were operating an online lottery, although the state of Minnesota ended its online program. A 2011 clarification by the Department of Justice paved the way for states to sell tickets online. Some states have their own lotto online apps; others defer to third-party apps. Some states that don’t offer online lottery games cite security concerns and the Wire Act as reasons.