Buying tickets online is a great option for people who want to play the Mega Millions, Powerball, and other state-specific lotteries. The best lottery sites offer a variety of tools and promotions to give you more value for your money. They also have a variety of deposit and withdrawal options. These sites are also regulated by gambling commissions so you can rest assured that your winnings will be safe from scammers.
A growing number of state lotteries are moving to an online format. In the past, states were reluctant to sell tickets online because they feared it would violate the federal Wire Act, which prohibits interstate sales of lottery tickets. However, following a legal opinion from the Justice Department, these types of sales are now permitted in many states.
These websites connect players with lottery agents, who buy the tickets on their behalf. They then upload the tickets to a secure database, where the player can view them and verify their purchase. The agent is paid a small fee for this service, but does not have the right to claim your prize.
While online lottery games are not as common as traditional casinos and bingo halls, they can be a fun way to pass the time. Most are optimized for mobile devices and allow you to quickly select your numbers and purchase tickets from anywhere. Some even let you set up a subscription, making it easy to play regularly without having to remember when the next draw is.