While traditional lotteries are run by the government, most online lotteries are privately operated. These companies act as middlemen between the player and the game, and they can offer more variety than traditional lotteries. For example, TheLotter offers 30 deposit methods, while a lot of online lotteries offer only a few.
Today, there are seven jurisdictions in the United States that allow players to buy lottery tickets online. Previously, there were eight, but that number has declined after the state of Minnesota stopped operating its online lottery program in 2015. The United States Department of Justice clarified its position on the Wire Act in 2011, opening the door to states offering online lottery tickets. Some states have developed their own online lottery apps, while others defer to third-party applications. Others cite verification challenges as a reason not to offer an online lottery.
The online lottery market is expected to grow at a CAGR of 14.9% over the next five years. Mobile lottery players will experience higher growth rates than desktop players, which can be attributed to a higher smartphone penetration. Other factors driving online lottery tickets are the expansion of internet facilities and the proliferation of lottery game apps.
There are multi-state lotteries across the United States, including Mega Millions, Powerball, Tri-State Megabucks, and Mega Millions. In addition, there are state-sanctioned online lottery subscription services. While most states offer state-run online lottery programs, others offer a variety of other games.
To purchase lottery tickets online, lottery players must be residents of the state in which the online lottery is run. Geolocation software is used by lottery websites to confirm that players are living in their jurisdiction. It is also necessary to purchase tickets from an official lottery vendor. While lottery agents and other third-party vendors can sell lottery tickets, official lottery websites are more efficient. The official lottery platform will also verify users’ identity and lodge claims for prize winners on behalf of the player.
Lottery websites are licensed by state governments and are very safe. However, scam websites exist. Be aware of these sites because some of them are only in it for the money and do not care about your safety. Genuine lottery sites are dedicated to the customer’s experience. In addition, they offer lots of promotions, discounts, and syndicates.
Several states offer mobile applications for purchasing lottery tickets online. The Jackpocket lottery app, available for iOS and Android devices, allows players to purchase tickets for national and in-state drawing games. Jackpocket also allows players to withdraw winning tickets using cash. This app is available for lottery players in eight states. It is also available on desktop browsers.