Online Lottery Games

Government-run online lottery games are available in more than a dozen US markets. If you add in online lottery couriers, that number grows to almost 30.

No two states or regions offer the exact same games. However, the types of games available are more consistent, and of course, the most popular games are offered in almost every online lottery platform.

On this page, we’ll walk you through all the key details around online lottery games, including what you can play, how to play, and how those games are different from those at online casinos.

What games can I play at online lottery sites?

Are there games that aren’t available online?

Different jurisdictions have different online lottery games available. Thus, no matter where you are, you will likely find some games that aren’t available to you.

If you are in a state/region that only offers courier services, you may only have access to a handful of draw games. However, many online lottery couriers are also working on letting you purchase scratch-off tickets through their platforms as well.

If you are in an area with a government-run ilottery, the options vary pretty significantly. Almost all offer some draw games online, though most jurisdictions also keep some of their draw games as retail-only. Most government-run online lottery sites/apps also offer some form of instant games and second-chance options, but not all do. Finding versions of real-money keno or Fast Cash games are more rare, but some iLotteries do offer them.

The only game type that remains notably absent from ilotteries is online pull-tab games. Certainly, traditional pull tabs have a physical element of actually pulling open the windows. However, online versions do exist, developed by such reputable studios as Realistic Games, Triple Crown Gaming, and Light and Wonder. These pull tab games are available at some of the leading real-money online casinos in other countries, such as Canada and the UK. So, we would expect pull-tab games to make it to online lotteries at some point in the future. But they are not available yet. The best you can find are e-tab games in a handful of states (which are put on by charitable organizations, are only available at that select location, and are not a part of official lotteries).

If you would like to know which games and services are available in your area, check out our guide to states with online lotteries and our individual state/region pages to learn more.

Most popular online lottery games right now

Looking for the biggest and best online lottery games? We’ve got you covered with the most popular online games to play.

Powerball

Powerball is perhaps the best-known draw game. It’s available in retail locations and online lotteries, where it is offered.

Washington D.C., Puerto Rico, the US Virgin Islands, and 45 states participate in Powerball. Only five states—Alabama, Alaska, Hawaii, Nevada, and Utah—don’t offer the game.

The Powerball jackpot starts at $20 million and steadily rises until someone (or multiple people) wins the massive prize. The game costs $2 per play plus $1 more for the Power Play add-on. Drawings occur on Monday, Wednesday, and Saturday nights at 10:59 p.m. ET.

Playing online is simple. Pick your numbers (or use quick pick), select the number of drawings you wish to play for, and wait for the drawing to see if you’re a winner.

Mega Millions

Mega Millions is offered in some form in 45 states, Washington D.C., and the US Virgin Islands. It’s one of the two major multi-state lottery games with immense jackpots. The Mega Millions prize starts at $20 million and increases until a lucky winner (or winners) snag the jackpot.

Mega Millions tickets cost $2 with a $1 optional add-on for Megaplier, which multiplies non-jackpot prizes by up to 5x. Drawings take place on Tuesdays and Fridays at 11 p.m. ET.

Purchasing Mega Millions tickets online is easy, provided you’re in a market that allows iLottery. Add your numbers to your entry, choose whether to add Megaplier, and select the number of drawings to enter. Complete your purchase and check back after the drawing to see if you have a winning ticket.

Lucky For Life

Lucky For Life isn’t quite as widespread as Powerball or Mega Millions. The draw game is available in 22 states plus Washington DC. Online lottery states allow Lucky For Life play via app or desktop The game’s top prize is $1,000 per day for life. Winning the jackpot carries odds of 1 in 30,821,472. The second prize is $25,000 per year for life.

A Lucky For Life entry costs $2. Drawings occur at 10:38 p.m. ET.

Banker’s Bonus

Banker’s Bonus is a slot-like game in which 15 symbols are revealed on a five-by-three grid. The Game’s art style evokes wealth and luxury with a green background and symbols like stacks of gold coins.

Symbols that are part of a winning combination will be removed from the board for new ones to drop in their place. Banker’s Bonus has many features, such as the Mega Money Jackpots Bonus Game. You can play Banker’s Bonus for as low as $0.10 or as much as $30 per play. The jackpot gradually rises until someone wins it.

Triple Eagle Bonus

Take to the skies with three eagles in Triple Eagle Bonus. This is a connect-style game, which means it plays a lot like online slots. You pay for each “play,” which is similar to a spin of slot reels. To win, you must reveal three or more adjacent matching symbols. Each symbol has its own associated value, with the eagles paying the most.

Triple Eagle Bonus fittingly offers three bonus Games: Eagle Match, Rising Riches, and Aerial Expander.

Dragon’s Palace of Fortune

This popular connect-style game has a special feature that can grant up to 10 bonus games and ten extra bonus games. It also has multipliers and an autoplay feature, the latter of which allows you to play up to 20 game rounds in a row. Plays start at $0.05 and go up to $30.

How online lottery games work

Online lottery games work differently depending on the game you play.

Draw games require you to pick your numbers and select a few other options (how many drawings you want to enter and whether to purchase add-ons). Then, you wait for the next drawing and check your numbers for wins.

Keno games have some similarities with draw games, but drawings tend to occur with higher frequency. Pick your numbers to form your entry, then await the drawing to check for wins. Alternatively, some keno games are more akin to the e-Instants format in which you play a quick game without a formal drawing.

Finally, e-Instants are a large category with many subcategories beneath the umbrella. However, they all have something in common: they’re easy to play. You purchase the game and then click ‘play.” Most e-Instants will automatically do everything required without any intervention from you. At the end, the game will tell you in clear terms whether you’ve won. For example, in Illinois, losing games will show a message saying “No Win This Time.” Wins, meanwhile, are displayed on the screen in a flashy manner.

Which games have the highest RTP?

Generally, e-Instants have the highest RTP—return to player—percentages of all iLottery games. The odds vary widely for each game, but you can find instant win titles with odds of 1 in 4 or close to it. That doesn’t mean the wins will be guaranteed, and they could be small. But those games give you the biggest chances of winning.

Meanwhile, draw games tend to have the lowest odds, meaning wins are rarer.

Keep in mind, though, that all lottery games are chance-based. Wins are not guaranteed. Indeed, lottery games are designed so that you will not win often. As a result, you should play strictly for fun. Any win should be considered a bonus. See our online lottery responsible gambling page to learn more.

Differences between online lottery games and online casino games

Games at online lottery sites often look or feel similar to those found at online casinos. Despite these similarities, the games are not the same. They have key differences to contrast with their commonalities.

Lottery games vs. online slots

Lottery games vs. online table games

Are any online lottery games free to play?

Lottery games require payment to play the vast majority of the time. However, there are a few ways to play for free. While they aren’t long-term options, you can use them to familiarize yourself with the games state lotteries offer.

Demo mode

Many lotteries let you test games out in demo mode. This is primarily offered with online e-Instants. We recommend giving demos a try (where available) on lottery sites or apps. They help you get a feel for how the games work and decide which formats you like best.

Sweepstakes promotions

You might find occasional giveaway-style promotions if you have an account. In Michigan, for example, you can claim a daily wheel spin. The spin can grant credits, which you can in turn use to play online lottery games. Check your lottery’s promotions page for current offers.

No-deposit promotions

Online lottery bonuses can include no-deposit options. These are most often found in welcome bonuses and, to be honest, they are pretty rare.

Other promotions (both those for new users and those for existing customers) might include bonus play. These give you bonus credits to play games, but you do need to make a deposit first and sometimes meet other qualifications. While those are nice, we wouldn’t characterize them as free.

Online lottery games FAQ