Several jurisdictions in the US have legalized online lottery sales, including Illinois, Maryland, New Hampshire, Pennsylvania, and Puerto Rico. Until recently, all states were prohibited from offering online lottery games, but the US Department of Justice clarified the Wire Act in 2011 to allow states to sell lottery tickets online. Some states offer lottery games on their own websites, while others rely on third-party lottery applications. These jurisdictions have different rules for online lottery sales, so the process varies from state to state.
In addition to online lottery sales, many states are considering allowing online ticket purchases. For instance, Minnesota used to allow lottery customers to purchase tickets online, but it suspended internet sales in 2015. Arizona also has an online lottery, and proceeds from sales benefit public causes. Meanwhile, in Arkansas, lottery players can play multi-state games and draw games on the state’s website.
Some of the Northeastern states are also moving toward legalizing online lottery sales. In July 2017, New Hampshire legalized online lottery sales. This state has since introduced e-Instant games that allow players to purchase tickets from their desktop, mobile device, or tablet. New Jersey and Massachusetts are also considering allowing online lottery sales.
Online lottery services can be tricky to regulate. The privacy and protection of players is paramount. Many lotteries use geolocation technology to track where their players are. In most cases, geolocation is used when purchasing lottery tickets online. However, geolocation isn’t an issue for purchasing tickets in person. If you are worried about your privacy, check out the terms and conditions of the site you are using to play the lottery.
While online lottery platforms initially offered limited game types, they have since expanded their offerings and continue to grow. Many of them also offer lucrative bonuses for new customers. Check out these promotions before making your choice of lottery site. While these bonuses can be important, they shouldn’t be the only factor in choosing a site to play with.
Online lottery games are relatively new in the United States. However, they are already available in several states. In Pennsylvania, the online platform launched on May 29, 2018. The Pennsylvania Lottery offers scratch cards and instant-win games. In Michigan, the Michigan Lottery launched its online platform in 2014, which offers various games. These include Powerball, Mega Millions, Lotto 47, and Fantasy 5.
New Hampshire launched its online lottery website in 2017 and now offers a variety of lottery games both online and in retail. In addition to lottery sales, the New Hampshire Lottery also donates money to public education. Its website is operated by NeoPollard Interactive and covers a variety of retail and online sales.
Although legalizing online gambling is an ongoing process, legalizing online lotteries is an effective way for a state to profit from the expansion of gambling. Six states have already legalized online lotteries, and many more are considering the option. Online casinos are likely to compete with online lotteries as the number of online gambling sites increases.