The US has a storied history of lottery play. Newspaper ads from the colonial era show hundreds of lotteries existed as early as the 18th century. The lottery first became an official game in the US territory of Puerto Rico in 1934, and New Hampshire joined the league in 1964. Today, 45 states, Washington DC, and the Virgin Islands run lotteries. The United States also has more than one lottery game, including instant-win games, drawing games, and the Mega Millions.
The lottery is the third largest source of revenue in Maryland, coming in second only to sales taxes and corporate tax revenues. In 2017, 56.9% of Lottery revenue was used to pay prizes to winners, 7.5% was spent on retailer commissions, and the remainder went into the General Fund of the State Treasury to support public health, safety, and education programs. It is also a major source of funding for the State’s casinos and private ancillary operations.
The Internet has made lottery games more accessible to the public. The best lottery sites and apps let you purchase tickets online in just a few minutes, whether you’re sitting at home or on the go. You can even play on your smartphone or tablet. Best of all, they’re designed to be compatible with all major devices, including mobile devices. The lottery sites and apps also provide a user-friendly interface and offer a variety of games. Many top lottery sites include jackpots, payouts, and odds.