Which US states have legalized online lotteries?
Online lotteries, or iLotteries, are legal across several US states.
The Illinois internet lottery went live in March 2012, and Georgia followed suit in November 2012. Michigan’s online lottery arrived in November 2014, with an emphasis on responsible gambling and a large game selection, and Kentucky followed suit in April 2016. Kentucky’s iLottery has more players per capita than any other state’s.
New Hampshire legalized online lotteries in July 2017, and Pennsylvania launched its online platform in May 2018.
| State | Online launch | Proceedings allocation | State lottery tax |
|---|---|---|---|
| Michigan | 2014 | School funds | 4.25% |
| Pennsylvania | 2018 | Elder pennsylvanians | 3.07% |
| Illinois | 2012 | School funds, capital projects | 5.00% |
| Georgia | 2012 | Education | 6.00% |
| Kentucky | 2016 | Commonwealth | 6.00% |
| New Hampshire | Coming soon | Schools | None |
Why play the internet lottery?
Playing online has many benefits, including:
Game variety
By playing online, you receive access to a massive library of games, each with different rules, jackpots, and bonus rounds. This is in contrast to offline lotteries where your choices are mostly limited to weekly draws and scratch cards.
Bonuses
Some online lotteries offer generous bonuses and promotions to new players, which give you the chance to win real money without investing your own cash. Use our bonus codes while registering an account to qualify for the best offers. Some lotteries, such as Pennsylvania’s, feature a VIP program that rewards loyal patrons and $5 free when using our exclusive Pennsylvania lottery bonus code.
Comfort
You can access all of the above from any internet-connected device. Additionally, online lotteries offer dedicated mobile apps that can be used to access most of their games.
Safety
Internet lotteries are a state-run business. For example, the Michigan iLottery is offered by the Michigan Bureau of State Lottery. This guarantees a legal gambling environment. Plus, you no longer need to worry about losing your ticket as it is stored online in digital form.
What type of iLottery games are available?
One reason why iLotteries are popular is the range of interactive and challenging games available. These include:
Instant games
Instant-win games feature winners drawn every minute and are one of the most popular variants. Available styles include slots, bingo, number and symbol matching, and form-a-line, to name a few.
Draw games
Examples include the famous Powerball and Mega Millions. Draw games are great if you’re looking for a more passive experience – pick your numbers and hope they are drawn. Jackpots for draw games regularly go above the hundred million mark.
Keno games
These are draw-based games that are drawn more regularly – every four minutes on the Kentucky Lottery, for example. You choose up to ten numbers per draw, one through 80. Keno lotteries let you control how much you wager and how many draws you play for. They also allow you to add on multipliers to bolster your winnings.
Pull-tab games
Pull-tab lotteries are perfect for gamblers looking for quick action. The goal is to pull down your tab and reveal a winning combination, with payouts depending on the symbol arrangements. Payouts vary by state but are usually measured in the thousands to tens of thousands of dollars.
Fast Cash
Fast Cash is a type of Fast Play game that often features a progressive jackpot.
How to play lotteries online
Begin by registering an account. Navigate to your state’s official lottery website and fill out the registration form. You’ll be required to provide your email, date of birth, and address. Some lotteries will ask for your social security number at this stage, too. If you have a lottery bonus code, enter it here as well.
Most internet lotteries allow you to try some of their games for free and won’t ask for your credit card number until you’re ready to play for real money.
Some online lotteries, such as Michigan’s, offer native mobile applications for Android and iOS devices. However, we recommend using the browser-based apps as they are generally more functional and offer better game filters than their mobile counterparts.
To learn more about how to register an account with a specific iLottery, read our state overview pages.