Friday's Est. Mega Millions Jackpot:
$453 Million
Playing lottery games online has been popular around the world for a long time, and it is becoming a more widely available option in the U.S as well. Several state lotteries now allow you to play directly over the internet, while in other locations you can make use of courier services to order tickets and a lottery agent will buy them on your behalf. Find out more about playing online in the USA.
It is still a case that some states prohibit playing lottery games over the internet, but more and more jurisdictions have introduced online ticket sales since a major ruling was made by the U.S. Justice Department in 2011.
Lawmakers first have to grant their approval, then state lotteries have to develop ticketing systems, taking into consideration the possible impact that online games could have on retail stores which rely on these sales.
Friday's Est. Mega Millions Jackpot:
$453 Million
Nevertheless, there are so many benefits to playing online that several state lotteries now allow you to buy tickets though their official websites. It just takes a minute or two to sign up and play, then your digital ticket is stored safely in your online account.
This option is available in states such as Georgia, Illinois, Kentucky, Michigan, New Hampshire, North Carolina, North Dakota, Pennsylvania, and Virginia.
In other states, lottery messenger companies offer an alternative way to play online. It’s still the same process – signing up and picking numbers – but the difference is that a courier goes to pick up your tickets from a retailer.
You can use courier services in states such as Colorado, Minnesota, New York, Ohio, Oregon and Texas.
If you can’t play the lottery online from your state at the current time, that could change soon as legislation evolves or new licensing agreements are reached. It is likely that online ticket purchasing options will be available in more states in the near future.
When you play online, the range of games you can pick from depends on the provider you use, but there is usually a combination of in-state lotteries and multi-state games. You could therefore win the next huge Mega Millions or Powerball jackpot without even having to leave home to buy your ticket.
Find out more about how to play in the following states:
The Colorado Lottery is dedicated to protecting the state’s natural beauty and raises money by offering games such as Lotto, Lucky for Life, Cash 5 and Pick 3. The state lottery was established in July 1982.
The Michigan Lottery has created some huge winners, including a Mega Millions lottery club that won $1 billion in January 2021. Fantasy 5, Lotto 47, Daily 3, Daily 4 and Keno are a few of the games that can be played in the Great Lake State.
In the Land of 10,000 Lakes, you can play Lotto America, Pick 3, North 5 and Gopher 5. Minnesota has also been one of the most successful states in Powerball history, with more than 20 jackpot winners.
Known as North America’s biggest and most profitable lottery, the New York Lottery generates billions every year to aid education in the state. You can play Lotto, Cash4Life, Win 4, Take 5, Numbers and Pick 10.
In Ohio, you can enjoy games such as Lucky for Life, Lotto, Pick 3, Pick 4, Pick 5 and Rolling Cash 5. The state lottery was launched in 1973, with Mega Millions tickets going on sale in 2002 and Powerball in 2010.
You can play Megabucks, Lucky Lines, Win for Life and Pick 4 in Oregon, along with Mega Millions and Powerball. The money generated from ticket sales supports education and the preservation of natural resources.
The PA Lottery runs a number of Pick games, plus Cash 5, Match 6 Lotto and Cash4Life, with proceeds helping the state’s older citizens. Online games have been available since 2018, with Mega Millions and Powerball following a couple of years later.
Launched in 1992, the Texas Lottery offers All or Nothing, Pick 3, Daily 4, Cash 5, Two Step and Lotto Texas. Jackpots worth more than $100 million have been won on both Powerball and Mega Millions in the Lone Star State.
In Virginia, you can play a wide array of lotteries, such as Pick 3, Pick 4, Pick 5, Cash Pop and Bank a Million, plus Powerball, Mega Millions and Cash4Life. The money raised goes towards supporting K-12 education.