Online lottery is a fun way to win big cash prizes without leaving your house. These sites are legal and regulated by gambling commissions. It’s important to read the site’s terms of use before you play so you can protect yourself from rogue websites.
The best online lottery sites offer a variety of payment options, from credit and debit cards to eWallets and even bitcoin. They also support bank wire transfers for easy withdrawals and deposits.
Lottery website mechanics are simple: you choose numbers, the game is hosted on a server, and the winning combinations are drawn. Some online lottery sites offer multiple draws on one ticket for a discount price, or they allow you to subscribe and participate in syndicates.
If you win a prize, your winnings will be automatically credited to your account. This is convenient, especially for smaller amounts. However, for large prizes, claiming them can involve a bit of work.
Some lottery websites require you to send in your identity before you get a prize. This makes it difficult for players from outside the country.
Online lottery has become an increasingly popular form of gambling in the United States. It got off to a slow start when only a few states began offering it, but a 2011 ruling on the Wire Act has cleared the way for states to regulate online lotteries.
Since then, several states have launched online lottery services. While some opponents have claimed that the move could cannibalize traditional sales, data proves otherwise. The PA iLottery, for example, has seen traditional game sales continue to grow every year since the launch.