The first state to offer lottery online was Illinois in 2012. Since then, six more US states have legalized the practice: Georgia, Kentucky, Michigan, New Hampshire, New Jersey, and Pennsylvania. The district of Columbia has recently joined the group, launching its lottery games in 2021. These new sites all have one thing in common: they’re based on real lotteries, and use similar software.
When choosing an online lottery site, look for a few key factors: security protocols and regulation, variety of games, customer service, jackpot size, and the ability to play on mobile devices. It’s also important to check out the website’s interface and see how easy it is to navigate and find the games you want to play.
While the rules of the games are usually the same, some websites add extra fees on top of the ticket price to make up for their overhead. These added costs can add up quickly, so it’s a good idea to do your research and only choose legitimate lottery sites.
Another factor to consider is whether or not a site offers optional bets that can increase your winnings for a small additional cost. These betting extras can be particularly useful if you’re playing a game with low payouts, such as Keno or Fast Cash. The best online lottery sites will feature these options for players who are looking for a way to maximize their potential wins. In addition, they may include a handy FAQ page or quick how-to guide for each of their available games.