Online Lottery in June 2026: How It Works, Legal States, Games, Tax Info, & More

Americans spend more than $100 billion per year on lottery tickets, making it one of the most widely participated forms of gambling in the country. Roughly half of American adults buy a ticket in any given year, according to Gallup surveys.

Several states have launched online lottery platforms that let players buy tickets and play instant games without visiting a retailer. Georgia, Kentucky, Michigan, Pennsylvania, and Virginia are among the largest, offering multi-state draw games like Powerball and Mega Millions alongside in-state games, keno, and progressive jackpot titles. States without full iLottery sites sometimes permit courier services like Jackpocket and Jackpot.com, which purchase physical tickets on a player’s behalf.

This guide breaks down the current state-by-state picture, explains how courier services work, and covers how online lotteries compare to other forms of online gambling including casino apps, sweepstakes casinos, sportsbooks, and DFS.

What Is an Online Lottery?

An online lottery is a website or mobile app that lets users purchase lottery tickets or play digital instant-win games. In the United States, some state lotteries offer official online platforms, while others only support in-person ticket sales. Only a limited number of states currently provide full online lottery services, with the District of Columbia also allowing online play.

Each state has the authority to legalize and regulate online lottery operations. When permitted, the state lottery can launch an official website and mobile app overseen by government agencies and the state lottery commission. For example, the Georgia Lottery operates through GALottery.com, while the Michigan Lottery is available via MichiganLottery.com.

Eligibility is generally restricted to state residents, and users must typically be physically located within state borders to purchase tickets or play instant-win games online.

Key Features of Online Lottery Sites

Online lottery platforms offer a quick, simple sign-up process, but you’ll need to verify your age and identity. The legal age is typically 18.

You can normally claim a welcome bonus when you make your first deposit. Some state lotteries offer welcome bonuses or promotional credits. You can use the bonus funds to buy tickets or play instant games. Any winnings will be paid in cash, which you can withdraw.

They support safe, reliable deposit methods. You can normally use Visa, Mastercard, and online banking. Some online lottery sites accept PayPal, Apple Pay, Google Pay, and other methods too.

You can then buy lottery tickets online. The leading sites sell tickets for multi-state draw games and local, in-state draw games. Most of them host a wide range of instant games too. These are essentially online scratchers, but these games function similarly to digital scratchcards and may resemble slot-style interfaces.

Small prizes will be paid into your account balance. You can then withdraw the funds via online banking. If you win a large prize, the lottery will often send you a paper check in the mail. You may need to make an appointment and claim a very large prize in-person.

The leading state lottery sites also offer ongoing promos for existing customers. They include second-chance drawings, reload bonuses, and free tickets. Some sites also run comprehensive loyalty programs.

You can often watch live draws and check past results on official online lottery sites, too. If you need help, most sites offer reliable support via phone, live chat, or email.

Official State Platforms vs. Courier Services

Some states allow licensed lottery courier services, while others operate in regulatory gray areas.

Best Online Lottery Courier Services

These are the top three lottery courier services right now:

Jackpocket

Jackpocket is the leading lottery courier app in the U.S. More than 6 million people have used Jackpocket to buy their lottery tickets. It’s live in AZ, AR, CO, DC, ID, MA, MN, MT, NE, NH, NJ, NY, NM, OH, OR & WV. New customers who register for Jackpocket in states where it is offered can claim $10 in lottery bonus credits with a deposit.

Jackpot.com

Jackpot.com is a convenient and easy-to-use lottery courier service available in select states: AZ, AR, CO, MA, NJ, NY & OH. The platform provides a streamlined way to order official lottery tickets online, with a transparent flat 15% service fee on deposits. Users can also view scanned copies of their tickets and receive notifications for any winnings directly through the app. New users can register with promo code LSRLOTTO to take advantage of a welcome offer, receiving a free ticket with their first play after signing up.

TheLotter

TheLotter is available in AZ, MN, NY & OR. This courier service doesn’t charge deposit fees, but you’ll pay a “convenience fee” of up to 30% when you buy lottery tickets via TheLotter.

How the Online Lottery Works

It’s easy to buy tickets via legal online lottery sites. Just follow these steps to get started.

Account Registration and Verification

Visit the site, open the registration form, and enter some basic personal details. Most sites ask for your name, date of birth, address, phone number, email address, and last four SSN digits.

You’ll then need to verify your email address. Just enter the PIN or click the link sent to your inbox.

The top state lottery sites use automated verification tools. They can verify your identity, age, and address automatically. If the system can’t verify you, upload proof of ID and address (e.g., a driving license and a utility bill).

Buying Tickets Online

You can then make your first deposit. Some lottery platforms will match a percentage of your initial deposit with bonus funds—for example, a 100% bonus that effectively doubles your balance.

Next, it’s time to purchase your tickets. From the main menu, select “Draw Games” or “Instant Games.” If you choose draw games, simply pick the lottery you want to play, such as Powerball or Mega Millions.

From there, you can select your numbers, choose the draw date, and decide how many draws you want to enter before confirming your purchase. Most sites also offer a “Quick Pick” option, which randomly generates numbers for you automatically.

Drawings and Prize Notifications

Powerball drawings take place three times a week. Mega Millions drawings are held every Tuesday and Friday, while some in-state drawings take place daily. You’ll get a notification if you win – via email, on the site, or both.

If you win a small prize (normally up to $600), the money will be credited to your online account balance. You can then withdraw it via online banking.

Claiming Large Prizes

Bigger wins require more legwork. In Kentucky, for example, prizes between $601 and $99,999 can be claimed either online or in person, with a paper check mailed to you afterward. Hit six figures or more and you’ll need to show up at lottery headquarters in person to collect. Other states follow a similar process, though the exact thresholds differ.

Most Popular Online Lottery Games

We can divide online lottery games into three categories: multi-state draw games, state-specific draw games, and instant win games. Here’s a snapshot of how they work.

Multi-State Jackpot Games

The most popular multi-state jackpot games are Powerball and Mega Millions. These games tend to offer the largest jackpots. They cover dozens of states, so the prizes can be huge.

For example, a Powerball player in California won a $2.04 billion prize in 2022. The record Mega Millions prize was $1.602 billion, claimed by a player in Florida in 2023.

State-Specific Draw Games

These draw games are only available in specific states. For example, Georgia runs Cash 3, Cash 4, and Fantasy 5, plus keno. Virginia hosts Pick 3, Pick 4, Pick 5, and Cash 5.

State-specific draw games typically offer smaller prizes than multi-state games, but they’re held more frequently – often daily or multiple times per day.

Instant Win Digital Games

These games look similar to online slots, but the format is closer to a scratchcard. They have different names in certain states – eInstants in Pennsylvania, Diggi games in Georgia – but the format is always the same.

Instead of scratching a physical ticket, you simply press a button to reveal the result. If certain matching symbols appear, you win a prize.

The best online lottery sites host more than 100 instant games. They cover a wide range of themes, from Ancient Egypt to the Wild West. Some offer fixed prizes, while others have progressive jackpots.

Promotional and Second-Chance Drawings

You can enter losing lottery tickets into second-chance drawings on the best lottery sites. That gives you a second chance to win prizes with previously purchased tickets.

Best Online Lottery Platforms by State

Online lottery rules are determined at the state level. That means the legal situation varies on a state-by-state basis. Some states allow players to buy tickets and play instant games online, whereas others have outlawed all online lottery games.

States With Legal Online Lottery

Online draw games and instant games are available in the following:

• Georgia Online Lottery
• Kentucky Online Lottery
• Michigan Online Lottery
• Pennsylvania Online Lottery
• Virginia Online Lottery
• Illinois Online Lottery
• North Carolina Online Lottery
• West Virginia Online Lottery
• New Hampshire Online Lottery
• Delaware Online Lottery
• Rhode Island Online Lottery (instant games only)
• Connecticut Online Lottery (draw games only)

The District of Columbia also has an online lottery. Massachusetts and New Jersey have both legalized online lotteries, but they aren’t live yet. Maryland, New York, and North Dakota offer online subscriptions to draw games, but you can’t buy individual tickets or play instant games in those states.

Below, we’ll focus on a few specific states where online lottery is thriving and generous bonuses are offered for new signups.

Georgia Lottery

The Georgia Lottery provides an official online platform where players can enjoy a wide selection of digital games through its website and mobile app. Unlike some other states, online ticket purchases for draw games are not available, so games like Powerball and Mega Millions must still be bought in person at licensed retailers.

That said, the platform features a large variety of Diggi Games, which are instant-win titles available to play anytime. Players can fund their accounts securely, take advantage of ongoing promotions, and manage their gameplay directly online. To participate, users must be at least 18 years old and physically located within the state of Georgia.

Our Georgia Lottery promo code LSR50 offers new players in Georgia a generous bonus of up to $125 following registration and deposit.

PA iLottery

Pennsylvania operates one of the most established official iLottery platforms in the United States. The PA Lottery website and app allow players to buy draw tickets and play a large selection of instant-win games online. The site features:

• Online tickets for Powerball, Mega Millions, Cash 5, and other draw games
• A large library of eInstant games
• Secure account deposits and withdrawals
• Promotional offers and second-chance drawings

For new players, registering with our PA Lottery bonus code LOTTOLSR leads to a $20 join bonus, plus a generous 100% first deposit match up to $1,000. Players must be 18 or older and physically located in Pennsylvania to use the platform.

Michigan Online Lottery

Michigan was one of the first states to launch a full iLottery platform, and it remains one of the largest online lottery markets in the country. The Michigan Lottery website and mobile app allow residents to buy draw tickets and play hundreds of digital instant-win games. Key features include:

• Online purchases for Powerball, Mega Millions, Lotto 47, and Daily games
• A wide selection of instant-win games
• Secure payments and withdrawals
• Regular promotions and player loyalty programs

New players can register with our Michigan Lottery promo code Click to claim promo to claim a deposit match bonus of up to $100 in addition to 50 free Keno games to help you get started. Players must be 18+ and located within Michigan when purchasing tickets or playing online games.

Virginia Online Lottery

Virginia offers a fully regulated iLottery platform that lets players purchase tickets and enjoy digital games through the official website and mobile app. It provides a convenient way to access both draw games and instant-win options online. The VA lottery site features:

• Online ticket purchases for Powerball, Mega Millions, Cash4Life, and other draw games
• A wide range of instant-win games available 24/7
• Secure deposits and withdrawals through multiple payment methods
• Ongoing promotions, bonuses, and second-chance opportunities

New players who register using our VA Lottery promo code can receive [id=virginia-lottery-bb] free games on Vegas Cash Drop, plus a 50% deposit match up to [id=virginia-lottery-db] on their first deposit. Players must be at least 18 years old and physically located in Virginia to access the platform.

States Without Online Lottery

In most states, you can only buy lottery tickets in person at a licensed retailer. They include convenience stores, gas stations, and supermarkets. Some states will allow a courier service like Jackpocket or TheLotter to buy tickets on your behalf, but you’ll need to pay a fee.

Is Online Lottery Safe?

Official online lottery platforms operated by state lotteries are generally safe and regulated. These sites use identity verification, geolocation technology, and encrypted payment systems to ensure that only eligible players can buy tickets.

Key safety features typically include:

• Age and identity verification
• Location checks to confirm the player is inside the state
• Secure payment processing
• Responsible gambling tools, such as deposit limits and self-exclusion

If you choose to use a lottery courier service, make sure it operates in your state and has clear procedures for ticket storage and prize claims.

To stay safe, always use official state lottery websites or reputable courier apps and avoid unregulated offshore gambling sites.

How Do Online Lottery Payouts Work?

Online lottery payouts depend on the size of the prize and the platform used.

Small prizes

For smaller wins (often up to $600, depending on the state), the money is typically credited directly to your online lottery account. You can then withdraw the funds using supported payment methods such as bank transfer or e-wallets.

Medium prizes

Some states allow prizes worth several thousand dollars to be claimed online or by mail. In these cases, the lottery may send payment by direct deposit or check.

Large jackpots

Very large prizes must usually be claimed in person at a lottery office. Players may need to present identification, complete tax forms, and verify the winning ticket before receiving payment.

Federal taxes are automatically withheld on certain large winnings, and state taxes may also apply depending on where you live.

Tax Information for Online Lottery Winnings

You will need to pay tax on your online lottery winnings. The IRS treats all gambling winnings as taxable income, including lottery games. Most states tax lottery winnings, although rules vary.

Federal Tax Obligations

Federal tax rates range from 10% to 37%. The rate you pay will be determined by your income and your marital status. Your lottery winnings will be added to any other income you’ve earned during the year – salary, bonuses, dividends, and so on. You’ll fall into one of seven brackets, which will determine your tax rate.

If you win a prize worth over $5,000, your state lottery will take a 24% withholding tax. For example, if you win $10,000, the lottery will hold $2,400, and you’ll be paid $7,600. That 24% withholding tax is simply an estimate of the tax rate you’ll have to pay. You may need to pay more after filing your tax return, or you may get some of it back.

State Tax Considerations

In most states, you’ll also need to pay state income tax on your lottery winnings. The only exceptions are Alaska, Florida, Nevada, New Hampshire, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Washington, and Wyoming. State income tax rates vary depending on where you’re based.

Disclaimer: The information on this page is designed for educational purposes, and it should not be construed as legal advice. Consult a qualified tax professional for advice before filing your tax return.

History of Lottery Legalization in the United States

Georgia became the first state to launch online lottery games in 2012. The Peach State initially sold online tickets for draw games only, but it added instant games later.

Michigan was the second state to introduce iLottery games. Draw games and instant win games were available from day one, and they proved popular with Michiganders. Kentucky joined the party in 2016. Illinois, which had piloted an online lottery in 2012, fully launched its iLottery site in 2017.

New Hampshire, North Carolina, and Pennsylvania launched online lottery sites in 2018. Two years later, Virginia, Rhode Island, and the District of Columbia rolled out their iLottery platforms. Connecticut began selling online lottery tickets in 2021, and West Virginia’s lottery site launched in 2024. Delaware teamed up with Scientific Games to launch an iLottery platform in 2026.

Online Lottery vs. Online Casinos

Lottery sites compete with online casinos in several states, including Michigan, Pennsylvania, West Virginia, and Connecticut. They both offer a legal way to gamble online, but there are some major structural differences between them.

Structural Differences

Market Competition and Player Preferences

Online casinos tend to generate more revenue than online lotteries in states where they’re both legally available. They offer more games, bigger bonuses, and faster payouts than lottery sites, so many players prefer online casinos.

If you’re looking for a wide range of games, a low house edge, and same-day payouts, choose an online casino. You’ll often benefit from large casino bonuses too. If you want to compete for large jackpot prizes and keep your costs down, choose an online lottery.

Ongoing Lottery Legislation Tracker

• February 2026: The Colorado Lottery wants to roll out an official lottery site. Lottery director Tom Seaver said online sales would allow it to “keep growing in order to meet the needs of recipients.” However, a bipartisan group of legislators filed a bill to block online sales in Colorado.
• January 2026: Indiana lawmakers advanced an online lottery bill, but HB 1078 failed to reach a full vote in the House before the session ended.
• October 2025: A bill seeks to ban players in Illinois from using credit cards to buy online lottery tickets. Reps. Curtis Tarver (D-Chicago) and Marti Deuter (D-Elmhurst) introduced the bill, HB 4149.
• April 2025: A draft bill, HB 228, was submitted to the Louisiana House, aiming to permit online lottery sales in the state. The bill was referred to the Committee on Administration of Criminal Justice.

Check out our individual state pages for updated information on legislative developments.

Potential Future of Online Lottery                                             

The U.S. online lottery market is expected to grow as more states consider legalizing digital ticket sales. Since Illinois launched the first modern U.S. iLottery platform in 2012, several states (including Georgia, Michigan, Pennsylvania, and Virginia) have introduced online lottery systems. However, digital sales still represent a relatively small share of total lottery revenue, leaving room for expansion if additional states authorize online play. (North American Association of State and Provincial Lotteries; Lottery USA)

Digital instant-win games (often called eInstants) have become a major driver of iLottery revenue and are expected to remain a key area of growth. Many lotteries are also investing in improved mobile apps, expanded payment options, and stronger responsible gambling tools such as deposit limits and self-exclusion features. (NASPL Insights)

Future expansion will likely depend on state legislation, regulatory priorities, and consumer protection policies, which vary widely across the U.S. lottery market.

Responsible Gaming and Consumer Protections

It’s important to treat online lottery games as a form of entertainment. Try to enjoy these platforms in moderation, and never spend money you can’t afford to lose.

Online lottery sites offer a range of responsible gaming tools to help you stay on track. You can normally set deposit limits, spend limits, time limits, and activity alerts on your own account. These tools can stop you from overspending.

You can also self-exclude temporarily or permanently. If you need support, call 1-800-GAMBLER or visit the NCPG site.

Frequently Asked Questions About Online Lottery