Online lottery in the United States is relatively young. Although several states have offered online tickets in recent years, only seven jurisdictions currently have online lottery sales.
The latest jurisdiction to offer online lotteries is the District of Columbia. The district launched its own online games in January 2021. It uses IWG/NeoPollard for its instant game offerings.
In the past, only Illinois and Maryland had regulated online lottery ticket sales. This is changing rapidly. A state may decide to expand its online lottery offerings in the future.
Generally, an official lottery website makes it easier to buy tickets. They have a secure payment system and SSL encryption software. These sites are password protected and regulated by the state’s gaming authority. The best sites have plenty of games and promotions. They also have services available through desktop computers and mobile devices.
A few states offer online scratch card games. These are similar to the traditional game, but they offer a much higher payout. Some of these games can be played for as little as $0.05. Top prizes can range from $500 to $500,000.
The best lottery sites offer online lottery games nationwide. They also have plenty of promotions and discounts. The site also offers a “check my numbers” tool, which lets players check the winning numbers before the drawing.
Online Lotto sites also handle tax payments for winnings that are below $600. They send W2-G forms to winners. They automatically withhold 24% of the federal tax for prizes under $600. If the winner wins more than $600, they must fill out a claim form.
