On the face of it, online lottery ticket purchases offer the ultimate convenience, allowing you to participate in your favorite lotteries from the comfort of your own home or any location with an internet connection.
But is it legal? How do you go about it? Here’s all you need to know about buying lottery tickets online.
The Risk of Purchasing Lottery Tickets Online
Governments around the world, including the United States, enforce strict regulations to control the purchase and sale of lottery tickets due to the substantial risk of fraud.
In the U.S. alone, citizens collectively spend billions of dollars annually on lottery tickets. This underscores why ensuring the legitimacy of these tickets and the actual delivery of promised prizes is important.
To safeguard against potential scams, in-person lottery retailers are required to obtain licenses, although the specific requirements may vary by state. Typically, these retailers must undergo criminal background checks to confirm their lack of involvement in felonies or illegal gambling activities.Â
Additionally, they are often required to post significant bonds as a guarantee that they will fairly award their lottery tickets.
The Internet and due diligence
While such measures help ensure the integrity of in-person lottery ticket sales, the status quo is quite different when it comes to online ticket purchases.
Determining the true identity of online ticket sellers and holding them accountable, should need be, is significantly more challenging. Websites can be shut down with relative ease and little notice compared to physical locations like convenience stores or gas stations.
Due to the significant risks involved, regulations in the United States and many other jurisdictions either restrict or outright prohibit online lottery sales. That said, it is not impossible or entirely illegal to buy a lottery ticket in the United States, especially once you know what to look out for.
U.S. Laws Governing the Purchase and Sale of Lottery Tickets Online
In the United States, lottery sales are regulated by two types of laws: federal and state regulations.
Federal law unequivocally prohibits the purchase or sale of lottery tickets through postal mail, with violations carrying the potential for fines or imprisonment.
This is outlined in 18 U.S. Code § 1302, which states:
“Whoever knowingly deposits in the mail, or sends or delivers by mail… any lottery ticket… [or] any check, draft, bill, money, postal note, or money order, for the purchase of any ticket… shall be fined… or imprisoned not more than two years.”
With the internet came innovative avenues for remote ticket purchases. However, the federal law still applies.
For a significant period, the Interstate Wire Act of 1961 prohibited the online sale of lottery tickets, ensuring that the status quo remained unchanged.
In December 2011, the Department of Justice issued an opinion clarifying that the Federal Wire Act pertains to sports betting rather than lottery tickets.
Consequently, this decision gave each state statutory power to decide whether or not it wished to authorize the online sale and purchase of lottery tickets within its borders.
Is Buying Lottery Tickets Online Legal in my State?
Even if federal law permits online lottery sales, several states remain hesitant to embrace this avenue. Beyond the concerns of fraud, there are additional challenges, such as ensuring that tickets are not sold to individuals under the legal age.
States are also reluctant to forgo tax revenue generated by people visiting convenience stores or gas stations to buy lottery tickets.
In 2014, Minnesota became the first state to introduce online lottery games; however, just a year later, they discontinued all online ticket sales.
As of now, only the following states allow legal online lottery ticket purchases:
- Georgia
- Illinois
- Kentucky
- Michigan
- New Hampshire
- North Carolina
- North Dakota
- Pennsylvania
Despite the seemingly high legal roadblock capping the online purchase of lottery tickets online, there are practical workarounds available.
For example, residents of some states can use a lottery app to have someone physically buy Powerball tickets for them.
Steps on How to Buy Lottery Tickets Online
Step #1: Choose a reputable online lottery platform
The first and most crucial step is to select a trustworthy online lottery platform.
Numerous websites offer online lottery services, but they are not all the same.
Look for platforms that are licensed, regulated, and have a proven track record of reliability. Check for positive customer reviews and testimonials to gain insights into the platform’s reputation.
Step #2: Create an account
Once you’ve chosen your preferred online lottery platform, proceed to create an account.
This usually involves providing personal information such as your name, address, email address, and date of birth. You may also be asked to verify your identity by uploading a copy of your government-issued ID.
Step #3: Fund your account
Before you can start purchasing lottery tickets, you’ll need to fund your account.
Most online lottery platforms accept a variety of payment methods, including credit cards, debit cards, e-wallets, and bank transfers.Â
Choose a payment method that suits your convenience and security preferences.
Step #4: Select your lottery and numbers
Browse through the available lotteries and choose the one that piques your interest.
Once you’ve selected a lottery, you’ll be presented with a selection of numbers to choose from.
You can either manually pick your numbers or opt for quick picks, where the platform randomly generates numbers for you.
Step #5: Review your order and confirm payment
Carefully review your order to ensure you’ve selected the correct lottery numbers and the number of draws you want to participate in.
When you’re satisfied, proceed to confirm your payment. The platform will process your payment and issue you with a confirmation ticket.
Step #6: Check for winning numbers
After the lottery draw, you can check your results directly on the online lottery platform.
You’ll receive notifications or emails if your numbers match any winning combinations. In case of a win, the platform will guide you through the prize claim process.
Stay Safe When Buying Lottery Tickets Online
If you’re considering purchasing lottery tickets online, it goes without saying that you must exercise caution and conduct your research beforehand.
Beware of websites that may appear to sell tickets but are, in fact, offering opportunities to bet on the lottery draw’s outcome. Avoid falling for exaggerated claims or promises from lottery apps and websites.Â
Your safest approach is to use an official state lottery website. Ensure that you are well informed about the entity you are entrusting your money to and conduct thorough research before making a commitment.
