Online lottery offers players the convenience of purchasing tickets from any computer that can connect to the Internet. It isn’t government-run like traditional lotteries; instead, it’s run by private businesses. Most of these sites are regulated by state gaming authorities and provide secure accounts with reputable payment methods. In addition to lottery games, most offer scratchcards, keno, raffles, and discount ticket services. They also help winners claim their winnings. The best online lottery sites are easy to use and feature helpful customer support staff.

The legal landscape of online lottery varies from state to state. In general, players must be at least 21 years old to play the games. However, it can be hard to determine whether an online lottery site is legitimate. The site should have a license to operate in your jurisdiction and offer a range of payment methods, including e-wallets and credit cards. It should also have SSL encryption software to protect your personal information.

In the US, online lottery has been available for more than a decade. The first state to allow it was Illinois in 2012. Since then, six other states have followed suit: Georgia, Kentucky, Michigan, New Hampshire, and New Jersey. The online lottery industry is rapidly expanding, with many states allowing third-party apps to sell tickets and some even making it possible to buy lottery tickets from their official websites.

Most online lottery games work similarly, but there are some minor differences between them. For example, some require you to choose five numbers from a range of 1-50, while others ask for three or four. You can also choose a straight or box selection, with the former requiring that your numbers are drawn in a specific order and the latter allowing you to win if you match all the number combinations. Fortunately, most online lotteries have quick how-to’s or tutorials that will walk you through the process of selecting your numbers.

When it comes to winning a prize from an online lottery, the site will usually notify you by email or SMS. You can then contact the lottery’s prize center to find out how to collect your winnings. The winner can choose to have the money deposited directly into his or her account, or can pick it up in person.

In the case of an online lottery, the winnings are taxed according to state law. The winner is responsible for filing the proper taxes, but online lotteries will do their part to make things easier by handling the paperwork and withholding any necessary tax payments. The winner will be sent a W2-G form, and federal and state taxes will be automatically deducted from the winnings. If you are unsure of how much to withhold, consult your state’s tax laws or ask your online lottery provider for assistance. If you win a large amount, you might be required to pay taxes in multiple jurisdictions.