When it comes to playing the online lottery, it pays to be a little choosy. It is best to stick to sites that are licensed and regulated by the state gaming authority. This way, you can be sure of their legitimacy and security. Aside from being legal, legitimate sites will also take care of any tax issues that you might have.
Currently, there are seven jurisdictions that have online lotteries. Eight jurisdictions operated them as recently as 2015, but one, Minnesota, canceled its online lottery program. This trend was possible because the Department of Justice clarified its position on the Wire Act in 2011, opening the door for states to offer their lottery tickets online. Some of the jurisdictions have their own online lottery applications, while others defer to third-party apps. Many states have reservations, citing verification challenges.
Rising Internet availability and the booming sales of smartphones are also good news for the lottery industry. Online lottery solutions are easy to use on smartphones and PCs, and they offer a more secure environment for players. Additionally, they also enable cashless transactions. This makes online lottery services more convenient and accessible than ever. A few years ago, many people didn’t feel comfortable playing the lottery online, but today, online lottery services have overcome these concerns and are widely accepted by lottery players.
Although legal online lottery sales have been illegal in the US for several years, they have become legal in eight states, outside of Nevada. The US Department of Justice reclassified online lottery sales as sports betting, allowing states to regulate the game and sell lottery tickets. As a result, Illinois, New Hampshire, and Pennsylvania are now among the states that offer online lottery ticket sales. While the legal landscape is still evolving, there is no reason why more states won’t follow suit.
Online lottery play in the US is relatively new. Only seven states currently operate their own lottery online, while some remain undecided. In general, lottery games are legal only in 45 states, Washington, D.C., Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands. While online lottery play isn’t widely available, it is gaining popularity across the country.
The Michigan Lottery launched a full-featured online lottery in January 2016. Besides the traditional draw games, it offers online access to nearly a hundred different instant games. The Michigan Lottery site allows bettors to access the games twenty-four hours a day. The stakes on most of these games range from $0.10 to $20.
