Playing the online lottery is legal in more than a dozen states. There are pros and cons to both. You may save money and cut out the middleman by playing directly through the official lottery website. It also feels safer. However, if you are unsure, you can always turn to lottery agents. These companies are licensed to sell tickets, send a scan of your ticket, and charge you a premium for their services. The advantage of using an agent is that you can keep the winnings you win.
Online lotteries are legal in more than a dozen states
While it may be illegal to purchase lottery tickets online, more states are approving the sales of online lotteries. As a matter of fact, more than a dozen states allow online lottery sales, and many more will soon follow. You can purchase online tickets for state-level drawings or the major multi-state drawings. Some states even offer instant win scratch cards. However, you must be physically in the same state as the lottery website.
They aren’t government-run
Most online lotteries are not government-run, and are, instead, private businesses acting as middlemen between players and official government lotteries. They are, however, much more diverse and have more games than their government-run counterparts. Many online lotteries offer prizes that rival those of traditional government lotteries, making them an excellent choice for players who want more options than the government-run version.
They have smaller jackpots
While the larger jackpots attract attention from lottery fans, smaller lottery prizes often draw less interest from the average person. While the jackpot is relatively small compared to the U.S. lottery, the expected return is higher. Typically, lottery players expect to receive 30 to 60 percent of the advertised prize amount, making a $500 million win worth only $275 million in lump sum. However, the tax rate varies widely by lottery and local regulations. Furthermore, online lottery sites don’t take a commission from winning jackpot prizes.
They cost more than in-person lotteries
The majority of online lottery sales are not legal in all states. However, some states do allow it, like Pennsylvania. Pennsylvania, for example, allows its residents to purchase tickets online and receive money toward the ticket price. Michigan has been offering lottery games online since 2014. While in-person Michigan lotteries only sold tickets and instant-win scratch-offs, the online version offers keno, Lotto 47, and Fantasy 5.
They have extra fees
You may be shocked to learn that your credit card company will charge you extra fees for buying lottery tickets online. The service fees vary in amount from bank to bank, and the FCAC lists the banks that charge different fees. If you’ve never had trouble buying lottery tickets online, you should be prepared for the possibility of additional charges. Fortunately, there are some options to help you avoid extra fees. Read on for some tips and tricks for buying lottery tickets online.