A lottery system using software and hardware to accept, record, and transmit lottery bets and prize draw results over the Internet. A growing number of states now offer online lottery, either as a standalone service or as an add-on to their existing retail and direct-to-consumer sales channels. Software developing companies are contracted to create online lottery systems, and companies offering data analysis and processing services are also involved.

Many players have been able to save time and money by purchasing lottery tickets online instead of in person at brick-and-mortar stores. While there are some risks associated with buying any digital product, these can be mitigated by researching a site carefully and following best practices.

Currently, there are seven US states that offer online lottery: Georgia, Illinois, Kentucky, Michigan, New Hampshire, New Jersey and Pennsylvania. This list will likely grow as states clarify their laws and technology continues to evolve.

New Hampshire’s online lottery launched in 2020 without a new law, relying on the provisions it used to secure a sports betting supplier in 2019. The game selection doesn’t differ much from that offered by Bovada or Michigan, and prices for games range from $0.05 up to $20. Top prizes are lower than those in other states, ranging from $1000 to $50,000 for scratch-type games and Keno.

Virginia’s iLottery brand was one of the first to launch online lottery in the United States, and its collection includes some titles that overlap with those offered by New Hampshire and Bovada. Its e-Instants are powered by IWG, and its offerings include Street Fighter II Instant Win and Jungle Tumble Jackpots. The games are available on desktop, mobile and tablet devices.