Things You Need to Know Before Playing an Online Lottery
With the availability of high-speed Internet, smartphone sales, and the availability of online lottery methods, the future of lottery betting looks bright. Consumers are readily adopting online lottery methods and their advantages include ease of use, digital payments, improved betting processes, and security. Here are some things you need to know before you play an online lottery.
Legality of online lotteries in the US
Although federal law allows online lottery sales, many states remain reluctant to approve such sales, for a variety of reasons. These concerns include the increased risk of fraud, the difficulty in monitoring ticket sales to minors, and the loss of tax revenue. However, a recent study estimates that online lottery sales in the US will reach $2.3 billion by 2021. Despite the concerns, many players have already made the transition to online lottery sales.
Although legal online lotteries got off to a rocky start, a Department of Justice opinion revision in November 2011 opened the way for full-scale online lottery sales. This opinion revision allowed New Hampshire and Illinois to issue lottery licenses to offer online lottery tickets. In addition, the Department of Justice clarified its position on the Wire Act, which paved the way for states to regulate online gambling. Other states are considering legalizing online lottery ticket sales, such as Massachusetts and Rhode Island.
Number of states that offer online lotteries
Today, a number of states offer online lottery sales. Some of the lottery states allow players to subscribe to a certain number of draws in advance. For example, you can subscribe to the Powerball draw every week for a set amount of time. This way, you don’t have to go to a retail store every week to buy your ticket.
In Illinois, the Illinois Lottery launched its online lottery platform in March 2012. The Illinois lottery offers a full complement of lotteries, instant games, and scratch cards. In its first two years, the lottery sold $37 million worth of tickets. The lottery donates 25% of its profits to fund education, healthcare, and state infrastructure.
Cost of tickets
The cost of online lottery tickets varies depending on the game and how many tickets you buy. While official retailer sites usually offer the same price as stores, third-party websites often offer cheaper tickets or other incentives. Some even allow you to join syndicates and pool funds. The value of each ticket is also different, depending on the size of the jackpot prize.
The cost of online lottery tickets is lower than brick-and-mortar retailer tickets, although some online lottery websites do charge a commission. Once you purchase your ticket, you will receive an emailed confirmation. The benefits of online lottery sites over brick-and-mortar retailers include convenience and unlimited play. Plus, you will never miss a drawing again.