Online lottery is a convenient way to play the lotto games you’re most familiar with without having to leave your home. You just log into the site, choose your numbers, and pay. If you win, the site will notify you by email or phone and automatically transfer your winnings to your account. There are some things to consider before playing online, however, such as age restrictions and location requirements.

The United States has a short history with online lotteries, but the trend is definitely growing. Seven states now offer these games, and more will join the list as legislation clarifies. Those states are Illinois, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Georgia, Kentucky, Michigan, and Ohio.

Many of these sites are state-regulated, meaning they’ll use secure payment methods and encryption software to protect your information. They also provide a high-quality user experience. In contrast, rogue sites may not bother with such details and instead focus on quick profits. You should only buy tickets from legitimate websites and not try to purchase them from unregulated sources.

You can also purchase lottery tickets online from a number of mobile apps that offer the convenience of doing so from anywhere, anytime. These mobile apps are designed to run on iOS and Android devices, and some even support Wi-Fi or data connections. These apps can be used to purchase tickets for local and national games, as well as participate in multi-state lotteries such as Powerball and Mega Millions.

In addition to enabling people to buy tickets from anywhere in the world, these lottery apps can also be used to claim prizes from past draws. This feature is very useful for players who have missed out on a prize due to a computer malfunction or other circumstances.

Another benefit of online lotteries is that they don’t cannibalize traditional sales. In fact, since Pennsylvania launched its online lottery in 2018, it has seen an increase in overall game sales, with more than $4 billion sold each year. This is a significant amount of money, and it shows that lotteries can grow as new revenue streams are established.

Online lottery operators can also handle tax payments for players. They will send you a W2-G form for any winnings that are over $600, and they’ll automatically withhold 24% federal income tax as well as whatever your local state taxes are. This saves you from having to worry about keeping track of your winnings and filing them on time.

If you’re looking for a safe and secure site to buy lottery tickets, look for a website that is licensed by an authority like the Malta Gaming Authority, UK Gambling Commission, Curacao eGaming Authority, Alderney Gambling Control Commission, or Kahnawake Gambling Control Commission. These licensing authorities monitor the operations of lottery websites and ensure they follow strict regulations. In addition, they have an extensive network of international legal advisors who can help if a dispute arises between the operator and player. Moreover, they’re constantly reviewing their licensing and security policies to keep them up-to-date.