In the United States, there are 44 state-run lotteries that offer a range of games from instant win scratch cards to traditional lottery games with huge jackpots. While the majority of states still require players to purchase tickets in person, some are now moving towards online sales and subscriptions as well.
The most common US lottery games include Powerball, Mega Millions and the Texas Two-Step. These games are popular with millions of people across the country and have starting jackpots that can reach $20 million. However, there are also many smaller lotteries that have lower starting prizes.
When choosing an online lottery site, you should consider the following factors: whether it offers a wide range of international lotteries; how easy it is to deposit and withdraw funds; how much it costs to play; whether it has a good portfolio of games; and if it is regulated by a competent jurisdiction. The top lottery sites also offer secure and reputable payment methods, free withdrawals, and great customer support.
You should also choose an online lottery site that supports a variety of payment methods including Visa and Mastercard debit/credit cards, eWallets, and even bitcoin. This will make it easier for you to transfer funds to and from your account and will save you money on transfer fees.
Some online lotteries also offer multi-draw packages, which allow you to buy more than one ticket at a time. This will increase your chances of winning and reduce the amount of money you need to spend on a single draw.
Other than the traditional lottery, you can also play keno and virtual sports online in some states. Some lotteries even offer mobile apps that let you play on the go.
The Pennsylvania Lottery, for example, launched an app in May 2018. It features several different games, including instant win scratch games and keno.
Illinois, on the other hand, launched an online lottery program in 2012. Its lottery website now includes online lottery games for all state-sponsored lotteries, including Powerball and Mega Millions. The state also provides subscription services that let you buy lotto tickets for a week to a year at a time.
In addition to allowing players to purchase tickets online, the Illinois Lottery now also offers a selection of online lottery pick-3 and pick-4 games. These games are a lot like the regular lotto, but players select a set of numbers instead of selecting all the possible combinations.
The Wire Act, which originally prohibited the sale of lottery tickets online, was reversed in 2018. This has enabled a number of states to sell subscriptions and individual tickets for their state-sponsored lotteries online. While some questions remain, the legal landscape mostly favors more states to follow suit and start selling online lottery tickets.