Lotteries have been around in the U.S. for a long time. People used to buy paper tickets and wait for the winning numbers. Now, in some places, they can do it all online. Playing the lottery from a phone or computer is more convenient, but not every state allows it. Some are moving ahead with digital lotteries, while others are holding back.
How Online Lotteries Became Possible
Lotteries have been part of American history since the 1700s. New Hampshire became the first state to legalize a lottery in 1964. For a long time, lotteries were only played with physical tickets.
A 1961 law called the Wire Act stopped gambling-related transactions online. But in 2011, the U.S. government changed its view and said the law only applied to sports betting. That change allowed states to launch online lotteries. Even now, only a few have done it.
Leading States in Online Lottery Games
Georgia and Kentucky
People in Georgia and Kentucky can buy lottery tickets online. Both states let players join draw games or try instant-win games. In Georgia, there are over 100 instant-play games where cash prizes can go as high as $22 million. More than 70 online lottery games, called Diggi Games, are also available. Digital scratchers work like regular scratch cards but without the need to scratch anything. Players can still buy physical scratch tickets at stores for $1 to $50. Moreover, with promotions like GA lottery promo code, the lottery continues to attract new players and grow day by day.
Kentucky started offering online lottery games in 2016. Players can choose from small-stakes scratch games or go for multi-million dollar jackpots. Over 60 instant-play games are available, with top prizes reaching $300,000.
Michigan
Michigan is one of the most advanced states in terms of online lotteries. The Michigan Lottery launched its online platform in August 2014 with just nine instant-win games.
Over the past decade, it has grown to include more than 200 online instant games and seven draw games, allowing players to win anywhere from $1 to multimillion-dollar jackpots. More than 2.2 million Michiganders have registered accounts on MichiganLottery.com, and since 2014, players have won over $10.5 billion in prizes.
The state also offers tickets for major national draws like Powerball and Mega Millions. Many players enjoy using the website and mobile app because they are easy to navigate. Michigan’s success proves that online lotteries can be both secure and popular.
Pennsylvania
Pennsylvania has a strong online lottery program called PA iLottery. It includes instant games and traditional draws. Players can use a website or an app to buy tickets. The state set up strong rules to ensure fairness and security.
The online lottery is widespread and continues to grow. The Pennsylvania Lottery also offers a subscription option for players to purchase Draw Games tickets in advance. It helps players enter multiple drawings without buying tickets manually each time.
New Jersey
New Jersey lets players buy lottery tickets online. The state offers its platform, but it also allows third-party services like Jackpocket to sell tickets. Jackpocket started as a mobile app but now works on computers too. New Jersey has even added online casino games alongside its lottery, giving players more choices.
Virginia
Virginia has a state-run online lottery. People can buy tickets through a secure website or app. The lottery offers different kinds of games, and many players enjoy the promotions and bonuses. Virginia’s success suggests more states might follow its example.
New Hampshire
New Hampshire was quick to bring its lottery online. People in the state can buy tickets for big games like Powerball and Mega Millions. The system is secure, and the process is simple. New Hampshire proves that even smaller states can successfully offer online lotteries.
Final Thoughts
Online lotteries are changing how people play. Some states, like Michigan and Pennsylvania, are leading the way, while others are still deciding. Third-party services like Jackpocket help fill in the gaps, but not every state allows them. More states might approve online lottery sales in the future, but challenges like security and regulation still need to be solved. For now, the digital lottery revolution is growing, one state at a time.
