Legal Online Lottery Sites

There are are also offshore legal online lottery sites that are basically a messenger service that goes on your behalf to a lottery retailer to purchase a ticket. Those destinations are perfectly legal, however, we recommend sticking to the official state lottery sites for playing US based lottery games. Lottery Review Process - How We Vet The Sites We Recommend. Our extensive lottery reviews process has also uncovered a couple of really nice features that we are happy to pass along to our Legal Betting Online.

With more and more of our lives being organized, scheduled and orchestrated by technology, it is no surprise that purchasing lottery tickets online is becoming more widespread. But is buying lottery tickets online even legal in the US? And if so, how do you know which sites you can trust to purchase your tickets from. You will find all these answers and more here at legalonlinelottery.com.

Is It Legal To Purchase Lottery Tickets Online In The United States?

Legal Online ScratchOff Lottery Tickets. Reviewing the best online lottery scratchoff sites that are legally licensed to accept USA players. Since the dawn of mankind, people have found ways to gamble. History shows us that even in ancient civilizations like Egypt and China and Rome, people gambled on a wide variety of games. The national lottery operator is the party who has an interest in this matter, and it can, and it will lobby to have all online lottery players penalized for playing foreign lotteries. Now, this is very rare, because it costs a lot of money to track down a handful of lottery players. ONLINE LOTTERY SITES QUICK OVERVIEW – THE GIST. Playing the lottery has been in existence, in one form or another, for centuries. The only difference now is in the way we play these forms of luck based games – lottery, scratch cards, keno, and other instant win games.

In a nutshell, playing or buying online lottery tickets is completely legal in most countries. But for countries such as the United States that have anti-gambling measures in place, it can be extremely confusing for players. In 2011 the DOJ ruled that the Federal Wire Act only applies to online sports betting. One of the primary reasons that the DOJ issued this legal opinion was because individual states wanted to launch online lottery ticket sales. They got the answer they were hoping for. The Federal Wire Act was the only obstacle, and the Department Of Justice removed it for them. Now there are no federal laws that deem it illegal to buy lottery tickets online through licensed state lottery sites.

After the DOJ’s legal opinion was announced, several states began offering online lottery ticket purchases immediately. There are are also offshore legal online lottery sites that are basically a messenger service that goes on your behalf to a lottery retailer to purchase a ticket. Those destinations are perfectly legal, however, we recommend sticking to the official state lottery sites for playing US based lottery games. We have provided links to those sites in this guide. You will find options for purchasing tickets, playing instant win games signing up for lottery ticket subscription services.

Legal US Online Lottery Sites

Below you will find access to several official state lottery programs. These websites are licensed and regulated by the state in which it is located. They offer the option for buying tickets online to their state lottery games, as well as the multi-state games that they participate in, such as Mega Millions and Power Ball.

Please note you must reside in the actual state to be able to signup and play their real money lottery games.

Popular Lottery Games Where You Can Buy Your Tickets Online

• MegaMillions
• New York Lotto
• California Super Lotto

Which States Legally Allow Online Lottery Ticket Purchases?

A total of 44 states host lottery games in the US. Of those 44, a handful has already integrated online lottery games into their offerings. So far, you can buy online lottery tickets from these states: Georgia, Illinois, Kentucky, Michigan, North Carolina, North Dakota and Pennsylvania. In addition, the following states offer online lottery subscription services: Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New York and Virginia. The one caveat here is that you have to be a resident of the state that you are trying to purchase a lottery ticket from. State lottery regulations in these regions have included a stipulation that states that lying about your residency or address is a crime punishable by law.

A few states have opted for a lottery messenger service that deploys an employee to visit a physical retail location and purchase your tickets for you. New Jersey is one such region, and California is another. This is the same concept used at offshore online lottery agents.

How To Play The Lottery Online

The first step is visiting the official website for the state lottery that you intend to play. You will find a table above with several such options. Once you have registered for an account you will be able to make deposits and purchase the tickets you want. Find the game, pick your numbers, and purchase your tickets. The next step is just waiting for the draw.

What is a Lottery Subscription?

A lottery subscription service offered by a state lottery site allows you to play any lottery you want on a scheduled and regular basis. You can designate the number of draws you would like and how frequently you would like the subscription to purchase tickets on your behalf. The number of draws you can subscribe to varies by region. Playing regularly may increase the likelihood of a life changing lottery win, though there are arguments both for and against that theory.

How Do I Collect My Winnings?

Typically, for relatively small amounts of 600 or so, you will be credited that amount into your online lottery account. For larger amounts, you may be asked to complete an online claim form or visit the lottery headquarters in person to claim your winnings. The specific process will depend on the amount that you win and the procedures in place in the state hosting the game that you’ve won.

Legal Online Lottery Sites Real Money

How Do I Know I Will Receive The Full Amount Of My Winnings?

The lottery websites you see featured in this guide all adhere to state regulations and licensing requirements. This guarantees they must payout winnings according to established state lottery guidelines. There are some state lotteries that withhold winnings for individuals who have certain debts on file with the state, such as back owed child support or restitution.

Common Lottery Myths

If I just play long enough – I will definitely win! – mathematically speaking, this is not true. Is it worth playing the lottery? If you are looking for some fun and keep your efforts in moderation – then yes, it can be a lot of fun. The lottery should be played as a form of entertainment for fun when you happen to have a few extra bucks to spare. When you look at the number of tickets purchased vs the number of winners, it is easy to see that the lottery should not be considered a sound investment.

The more tickets I buy, the better my chances of winning! – statistically, this has been proven to be false. The odds are not in the players’ favor and buying 100 tickets vs 1 ticket does not improve them for you. The number of tickets you would have to buy to make this statement true would negate the benefits of winning it.

Playing the same numbers every week improves my chances of winning! – there have been more winners who have had their numbers selected through a quick pick feature than by those who manually select their numbers. Does this negate the original statement – we’re not sure, but we do know that the majority of winners didn’t even pick their own numbers.

I don’t need to worry about my retirement as long as I play the lottery every week, I’m bound to win eventually – the lottery should NEVER be considered a substitute for a retirement plan. It is possible for you to play twice a week for 30 years and never win a dime. We strongly recommend that you do not play the lottery in lieu of planning for your retirement. The lottery is a form of entertainment, not a long-range financial plan.

If a particular state doesn't offer the option to buy lottery tickets directly from their official lottery website, then players can consider using an offshore messenger service.

The internet offers various opportunities to buy lottery tickets online legally through offshore lottery agents that cater to the U.S. Buying online lottery tickets through these lottery messenger sites is an alternative for players in states that do not allow traditional online lottery sales.

Some states do have their own Mega Millions or Powerball version of online tickets although players must reside in those states in order to purchase these tickets over the Internet. Since this option is only available in a few states so far, most players in the US opt for using lottery messenger services such as the ones listed on this page. It has turned out to be a convenient alternative for those individuals who are unable to make it to the local convenience store or another lottery retailer to purchase tickets in person.

Is It Legal To Buy Online Lottery Tickets In The United States?

Buying lottery tickets online is perfectly legal in the United States. In 2011, the DOJ released a formal opinion stating that the Federal Wire Act only applied to sports betting and did not affect other forms of online gambling, including lottery games*. This is why you've seen a few states now offering players the ability to buy their tickets online through state-regulated options. There are not any state or federal laws that prohibit American residents from purchasing lottery tickets online through licensed and regulated online lottery messenger services or agents.

*Update: The DOJ 2019 Opinion on the Federal Wire Act infringes upon how domestic lottery operations will be conducted. The new Opinion states that lottery operations in states which allow it must be localized and that information cannot cross state lines. This could affect multi-state associated lottery operations like Megamillions and the Powerball. For now, the best option is to utilize licensed offshore online lottery sites until the domestic issue is resolved.

How It Works

By combining global messenger services with the worldwide reach of the Internet, for a nominal fee, legal online lottery agents purchase tickets for you on your behalf. Those tickets are then scanned and the images e-mailed to you, and if you win big, these companies will even help you collect. Many of the sites offer tools which help you choose the lotteries which offer the best odds, you can filter the games by jackpot size or draw dates and you can improve your odds by joining lottery syndicates, or arrange for automatic purchasing of your favorite lottery tickets every week through a subscription service. You can learn more about these agents by accessing our online lottery site reviews.

WinTrillions is the messenger service we recommend for US players. In business since 2005, WinTrillions has been providing players a transparent and legal way to play lotteries from all over the globe from the comfort of their own home. Whether you are looking to purchase your Powerball tickets, or want to join a syndicate and play some of the biggest lottery jackpots in the world, WinTrillions is one of the better choices.

Pros

• All USA players accepted
• Purchase Lottery Tickets From All Over The World
• Good Customer Service
• Generous Bonuses And Rewards To Loyal Customers
• Easy Credit Card Funding

Cons

• Numerous complaints about players getting charged after they've cancelled subscription

Top USA Online Lottery Sites

Where Can I Buy Mega Millions Lottery Tickets Online?

Players fortunate enough to live where state-regulated online lottery services are available can typically also purchase their Mega Millions Lottery tickets there as well as tickets to the state lottery games. Other players can legally buy Mega Millions Lottery tickets online through the lottery agent you see mentioned above. With the jackpot listed as $970 Million dollars as of October 18, 2018, players don't want to skip the drawings for this game!

FAQ's About Legally Buying Lottery Tickets On The Internet

Buying lottery tickets online has become an easy and convenient solution for US players. How then, can a consumer know if a website is legit, safe, and secure? To ensure that you understand the nuances of using a reputable and legitimately licensed lottery service, a list of frequently asked questions is available below. The list answers the questions on legal issues, choosing your numbers, and purchase options.

Is Playing Online Lottery Legal In The USA?

Upon the DOJ's legal opinion concerning the Federal Wire Act, the regulation of lottery games is left up to each individual state, with no federal laws in place that prohibit players from participating in online lottery games or from visiting licensed lottery agents online for the purpose of purchasing lottery tickets or subscription services.

Currently, there are approximately 42 states which offer one or more state lottery games and/or that participate in the multi-jurisdictional lottery games such as Mega Millions and Powerball games. Several of these states, including Georgia, Illinois, and Minnesota already have a process in place that supports online ticket purchasing, while other states, including New Hampshire, New York, North Carolina, North Dakota, and Virginia have integrated state-sanctioned online lottery subscription services.

Several states, including California, allow private lottery agents to provide online lottery subscription and lottery ticket purchasing services to players. The caveat is that you must be a resident of one of these states in order to be eligible to register for and participate in the state's official online lottery ticket services. Residents of all states can legally utilize the services of the lottery messenger agents listed on this page.

Can I Use My Favorite Numbers When I Buy My Lottery Ticket Online?

When purchasing a lottery ticket, players have the option to either use their favorite numbers or take advantage of the quick pick option. The quick pick option randomly picks numbers electronically using the same type of functionality that you see at brick and mortar lottery retailers.

What Is A Lottery Syndicate?

A lottery syndicate is where a group of people buys a lottery ticket to increase their chance of winnings. This allows them to buy even more games. More games mean more chances of winning. If the syndicate wins, the prizes are divided up evenly among the group. The syndicate is not limited to individuals, but businesses and entities as well.

What Is A Lottery Subscription Service And Are There Advantages To Using Them?

A lottery subscription service is a service that buys lottery tickets on your behalf in the state where you live. The advantage of a lottery subscription is the convenience, and the ability to manage all of your lottery games.

If I Purchase A Ticket Through A Lottery Agent, How Do I Know If I Won?

Most lottery sites will send you an email if you win. You can also signup for email and sms alerts on some sites for constant updates.

If My Ticket Is A Winner, How Do I Claim My Winnings?

For winnings below $600, winnings are typically credited to your online account. You can purchase additional tickets or withdraw your winnings. For any winnings above $600, you will receive a personal call from the lottery site to arrange payment.

Do These Sites Also Offer Scratch-off Tickets?

The sites listed on this particular page actually do not offer any sort of instant win scratch-off games. However we have another page dedicated to playing online scratchoff lottery tickets legally that will recommend some excellent places to play that are all US friendly.

Is Buying Lottery Tickets Online Safe?

The online lottery sites that we endorse are all legally licensed and regulated in their respective jurisdictions. Keep in mind these are huge companies with deep pockets that have been in business for years, so it's 100% safe to do business with these companies. They guarantee payment on winnings and will facilitate the collection process with their winners' support team dedicated to helping players claim winnings.

VIP And Rewards

Many of these sites offer a rewards program similar to what you would find in Las Vegas. The more tickets you purchase, the more rewards and special promotions will be available to you. Each website offers a little something different, so it doesn't hurt to spend a few minutes familiarizing yourself with the inner workings of their VIP program.

Biggest Lotteries

Powerball – The largest jackpot in the game's history, and the largest single prize ever on one ticket, was the $595 million mentioned above. Consistently above $60 million, and routinely over $100, the jackpot here is always one of the biggest in the world. There are 9 levels of prizes awarded in the 45-state combined lottery, and Powerball is drawn twice a week.

Mega Millions – Starting at $15 million and supported by multiple jurisdictions that cause it to grow rapidly, the US Mega Millions lottery has issued a $656 million jackpot (3 winners), a single ticket $319 million payday and a $648 million jackpot split by 2 ticket holders, with all of those wins recorded in just a 32 month period ending December 17, 2013. Fast forward to October, 2018 and the jackpot is looming at just under $1 Billion. Mega Millions is drawn twice a week.

EuroMillions – Delivering Europe's biggest lottery prizes and a guaranteed €15 million jackpot, EuroMillions began making millionaires in 2004 with a twice-a-week draw. Jackpot totals of €190 million ($256.8 million), €187 million ($252 million), €162 million ($219 million) and several over €80 million ($108 million) have already been won playing EuroMillions.

Lotteries With the Best Overall Odds

Australia Saturday Lotto – With a 6/45 structure and 6 pay levels, you have a 1 in 85 chance of winning some prize in the Australia Saturday Lotto. Currently offering a guaranteed $4 million first prize and regularly paying as much as $30 million or more, the Australian Saturday Lotto boasts some of the best odds of any lottery in the world.

La Primitiva - Spain's weekly La Primitiva is the oldest national lottery draw in the world, running since 1812. With its 6/49 structure and 6 prize levels, it is very attractive statistically. The record jackpot is €30 Million and you have a 1-in-10 chance of winning a cash prize due to the many levels of prizes awarded. La Primitiva pays out more than €1 Billion annually.

Legal Online Lottery Sites Official Site

Florida Mega Money – choosing just 4 out of 44 numbers with a Mega ball, and delivering 8 levels of winning, the Florida Mega Money lottery is a smart statistical play. This makes your overall Jackpot odds just 1 in 2.98 million, one of the most favorable of any lottery in the world. You also enjoy a 1 in 12.58 chance at winning some prize.

States Participating In Multi-State Lottery Games

Powerball - Arizona (AZ), Arkansas (AR), California (CA), Colorado (CO), Connecticut (CT), Delaware (DE), District Of Columbia (DC), Florida (FL), Georgia (GA), Idaho (ID), Illinois (IL), Indiana (IN), Iowa (IA), Kansas (KS), Kentucky (KY), Louisiana (LA), Maine (ME), Maryland (MD), Massachusetts (MA), Michigan (MI), Minnesota (MN), Missouri (MO), Montana (MT), Nebraska (NE), New Hampshire (NH), New Jersey (NJ), New Mexico (NM), New York (NY), North Carolina (NC), North Dakota (ND), Ohio (OH), Oklahoma (OK), Oregon (OR), Pennsylvania (PA), Rhode Island (RI), South Carolina (SC), South Dakota (SD), Tennessee (TN), Texas (TX), Vermont (VT), Virginia (VA), Virgin Islands (VI), Washington (WA), West Virginia (WV) and Wisconsin (WI).

Mega Millions - all but 6 states

Lottery Website Resources

Which Online Lottery Is Legal In India

The following resources are helpful to lottery players and offer useful information such as winning numbers, past winner bios and more.