The first official lotteries were established in the Chinese Han Dynasty between 205 BC and 187 BC, and were used to finance major government projects. The ancient Chinese Book of Songs mentions a game of chance involving “drawing of lots” and “wood.” Today, many countries have a state lottery, but the rules and regulations vary from country to country.

Lotteries can offer fixed prizes in cash or goods. In some cases, the prizes are fixed percentages of the lottery’s total sales. Another type of lottery is a “50-50” draw, in which a fixed percentage of the money generated by sales goes towards a fixed prize fund. Many modern lotteries offer purchasers the opportunity to select their own numbers, which creates more opportunities for multiple winners.

A lot of state lotteries are exploring the possibility of selling tickets online. Some already do, but more states are expected to follow suit. An official lottery website provides easy buying and claiming processes, and even allows you to follow the results of a national draw like Mega Millions or Powerball. In addition to a simple lottery buying experience, official lottery websites feature exclusive games and promotions based on your favorite themes.

Besides the official lottery, Hawaii also offers state lottery apps, which can be used to find retail locations, scan tickets for second-chance draws, and discover promotions. Many lottery apps also allow players to buy tickets and play instant online games. Some states also have an online version of scratch-off games. The CA Lottery Official App is one example of a state lottery app that allows users to play in the state without traveling.