Lottery online is a great option for people who are too busy to travel to a retail store and want to purchase tickets for the latest draws. In addition to a fast and convenient purchasing process, lottery online can also offer better promotions and bonuses. Plus, tickets bought online are stored digitally and can never be lost or misplaced.

A few US states allow players to play their state’s lottery games online, including Powerball and Mega Millions. Illinois first offered an online lottery in 2012, followed by Kentucky, Michigan, New Hampshire, and New Jersey. However, Minnesota did not approve of an online lottery, and players must still purchase tickets from traditional retailers.

The best lottery websites are operated by reputable companies that care about their reputations and have been around for years. They’re licensed and regulated, and jackpot winnings are paid out through insurance policies. They also have a simple user interface and a number of different lottery games to choose from.

Many of the top lottery sites also feature a syndicate option, which lets you pool your money with other players to increase your chances of winning. If any of your numbers are drawn, you’ll split the prize based on how much you contributed.

In addition to state-approved lottery games, some online lottery sites act as middlemen that offer players multi-state lotteries like Powerball and Mega Millions. These sites typically provide higher prizes than in-house state lotteries, but the odds of winning are lower.