The official lottery is a state-run gambling operation. It raises money for public projects and infrastructure. In many states, players can purchase tickets online or in a physical store. Some states allow for online betting and scratch cards.

To enter the official lottery, players must first purchase a ticket. Tickets are usually sold in fan folded sets of perforated tickets, whose price depends on how many combinations are included. They can be purchased in packages of 300 or 100 tickets.

Official lottery sites are available in each state. They make it easy for players to buy a ticket and check the results of a recent draw. These sites also provide access to promotions.

A state-operated lottery website is also safer than a website run by a third party. Many of these companies use geolocation software to ensure that a player is in the right state to participate in the game.

Third-party applications and websites may have links that direct a player to the lottery’s official site. This is governed by the privacy statement of the third-party provider.

The official Lottery website has some features that aren’t available on competing sites. For example, the website’s Click & Play feature allows a user to create a group and pool their money to purchase tickets in bulk.

If you win a prize, you will receive an email. You will need to fill out a claim form to claim your prize.

There are some limitations to the official lottery’s website, however. You will need to be a registered player to buy tickets.