Lotteries are one of the oldest forms of legal gambling in the United States. They date back to the early 1700s. Today, lotteries are operated in 45 states and the District of Columbia.
The first official US lottery was launched in Puerto Rico in 1934. Powerball and Mega Millions are available in almost every jurisdiction. Each state also has its own popular lotteries. In addition to these major lottery games, there are also several instant win scratch cards that offer players up to several million dollars.
The number of online lotteries in the United States is growing. Some of these games can be played for less than $20. However, the state-by-state laws on online lottery tickets vary. There are a few states that permit sales online, but they are not yet widely accessible.
Several offshore lottery providers claim to sell tickets online, but the legality of this practice is unclear. In some cases, tickets can only be purchased in person at lottery offices. Other states have deferred to third-party applications.
New Hampshire, Alabama, Utah, and Maine do not offer state-wide lotteries. These states cite religious objections and fears of competition.
While the legality of offshore lottery providers is a concern, there are several options for legal online lottery courier services. Ticket couriers can order official tickets for you and deliver them to you.
New Hampshire launched an iLottery system in late 2018. It offers instant win games like scratch off tickets, which offer players the chance to instantly win cash prizes.