Despite the growing popularity of online gambling, the online lottery is a relatively young industry in the United States. Online lottery games are not regulated or legalized by the government in most US states. However, a handful of states are seeking to legalize and expand their online lottery offerings.
The first state to offer online lottery tickets was Illinois. In March 2012, the Illinois Lottery launched a pilot program to test the market. In the first months of the program, tickets for the Powerball and Mega Millions lottery were sold online. The website later expanded to offer daily lottery games and instant games.
In March 2016, the Michigan Lottery set all-time sales records with online sales of $8 million per week. The lottery’s three in-house draw games, Mega Millions, Powerball, and Fantasy 5, are offered online. The draws are also broadcast live on six television stations. In the last five years, lawmakers have tried to raise $250 million for the state’s general fund.
The online lottery market is expected to grow rapidly due to the rapid adoption of advanced technology. In addition, increased internet connectivity is expected to drive the industry. The market is also expected to be segmented based on platform and region.
Most online lottery websites have interfaces built for desktop use. They allow players to choose numbers, pay with credit cards and debit cards, and then see a list of winning numbers. Some lottery sites also offer PayPal payments. Some sites, such as Lottoland, accept players from anywhere in the world. In addition to lottery games, the site features casino games. Players can also buy lottery tickets in person at lottery retailers.
While some states have started offering online lotteries, others are deferring to third-party applications. Some states require players to be residents of the state. Other states, such as Massachusetts, are in the process of legalizing online lottery games. In the meantime, third-party lottery apps have begun to appear.
A third type of lottery app is a mobile app. Some lottery websites include mobile-friendly features that allow players to play and purchase tickets from their phones. e-Instant games can be played from a smartphone or tablet. The top prize is $500,000 for the Instant Keno Multiplier. Other features include the number shield, which gives players a cash prize when they win.
Some states have deferred to third-party lottery apps, such as Jackpocket. Others have developed apps of their own. The most common methods of payment for online lotto tickets are credit card and debit card. Some lottery sites also allow players to set limits on how much money they can spend. Some states allow constituents to purchase tickets directly on their state application.
In January 2020, the District of Columbia announced plans to launch an online lottery. However, the district’s emergency rules required players to be present in the district when they buy tickets. In addition, the website used geolocation to determine players’ locations. In 2021, the Washington DC lottery will offer iLottery.