When you buy a lottery ticket online, you can participate in your local state games as well as national lotteries like Powerball and Mega Millions. Some states also have their own apps for purchasing tickets online, and some even offer a subscription service that allows players to automatically purchase entries in all major state games on a regular basis. These services save time and money while making it easy to play your favorite lotteries from any computer or mobile device.

The first US state to offer an online lottery was Illinois in 2012. Since then, several other states have followed suit by offering a growing selection of lottery games through their official websites. These sites usually provide players with a complete list of available lottery games, winning numbers and information about retailers and other important details. Many of these websites also feature instant win scratch off games and allow you to purchase tickets online.

It’s always a good idea to research any lottery website before deciding to buy a ticket. Look for a site that is licensed and regulated by a gambling authority to protect yourself from scams. Also, make sure to read the terms of use and privacy policies carefully. Also, check whether the site has a chat support to ask questions if needed.

Buying a lottery ticket online is much safer than buying one in person because you won’t have to worry about losing it or forgetting it at home. In addition, you can easily access your winnings and other important information at any time. Some sites even send you email reminders to claim your prizes.

Another benefit of online lotteries is that they can offer more variety than traditional ones. There are a number of different ways to win, including matching numbers, straight picks and box selections. Many of these sites also offer multi-state games, which are a great way to increase your chances of winning.

Online lotteries are usually private businesses, whereas traditional lotteries are government-run. This is because they are a profitable way for states to raise funds for public programs. The New Jersey Lottery, for example, gives out more than $42 billion in prizes and contributes just under $1 billion to the state’s education system. Other states, such as Pennsylvania, have similar lottery systems.

In the past, people bought lottery tickets by stopping at a gas station or bodegas. Now, companies such as Jackpot are working to transform this $100 billion-a-year business into something more in line with today’s online shopping habits. The company is selling tickets through its app in several states and plans to add more locations over the next year. Customers can download the app from a smartphone or desktop. The company charges a convenience fee for each transaction. New Jersey’s app, Jackpocket, lets you purchase Powerball and Mega Millions tickets as well. However, the app hasn’t been authorized to sell other state games, such as Megabucks. That could change as the New Jersey Lottery moves more of its operations online.