Online lottery is an online gambling service that allows players to place bets on the outcome of a lottery draw. These sites act as middlemen between the player and the official lottery provider, usually a government-run game like MegaMillions, EuroJackpot or PowerBall. They offer a variety of games, including national and international lotteries. While these services can be very popular with players, they are not always regulated and some have been found to engage in unfair practices.

Legal online lottery websites use geolocation technology to ensure that customers are located within state lines. This is important because federal law prohibits the sale of lottery tickets across state lines. Lottery websites also allow players to participate in lottery syndicates, which can greatly increase their chances of winning by purchasing more tickets than they would have on their own.

Most legal lottery websites accept a variety of payment methods, including ACH/eCheck, PayPal, credit cards and debit cards. Many offer a secure SSL encryption for added security. Some also allow players to set daily, weekly or monthly limits on their spending, which can help them avoid over-spending.

The biggest benefit of online lottery is its convenience. Instead of having to drive, fly or take the train, lottery players can now buy tickets from their own homes, offices, football stadiums and pubs. In addition, many state lotteries now offer their games on their own online platforms. These websites can be accessed from most desktop and mobile devices, including smartphones and tablets.