Online lottery has come a long way since Illinois became the first state to make it legal in 2012. Today, most US states have some form of online lottery available. Some offer a variety of games including scratch-type and keno, while others have specific lotteries for major draws. However, while online lottery is an excellent way to play the lottery, it is important to know a few things before you start betting.

The first thing to remember is that all online lottery sites are not created equal. Some are scams and are only out to take your money. Legit lottery sites are regulated by a gaming authority and have secure connections. They also use reputable payment methods and have password protection. In addition, they have SSL encryption software to keep your personal information safe.

Another thing to remember is that you must be of legal age to play the lottery. In the United States, this is 18. Although there are some state-specific rules that may differ from one region to the next, all online lotteries comply with US gambling laws and must be operated by a licensed operator. In order to play online, you must have a valid government issued ID and a credit card. In addition, if you win the jackpot, the site will pay it out from insurance policies.

Some state-sponsored lottery sites have subscription services that allow you to purchase tickets for a week or more of drawings. These are typically cheaper than purchasing individual entries. Many players also buy multiple tickets through online lottery syndicates. These can increase your chances of winning by allowing you to spread the cost of buying more tickets.

The best online lottery sites provide a variety of games and promotions. They should offer games that are available in your state as well as national games like Powerball and Mega Millions. They should also have a wide range of payment options, including Visa, MasterCard, and PayPal. They should also be able to store your details for future purchases. Other features that should be included are games like eXTRA Chance and free ticket giveaways.

Some lottery websites will donate a portion of their profits to charitable programs. Kentucky’s lottery, for instance, gives a large share of its proceeds to various grant and scholarship programs in the state. Other lottery websites will donate a percentage of their revenue to charities in their home state or country. For example, Ignition Casino donates a significant portion of its revenue to charity through a lottery-type game called Keno.