Lottery games have long been popular in the US. In recent years, states have started allowing players to enjoy their favorite games online, including multi-state drawings like Powerball and Mega Millions. Some online lottery sites even offer bonuses that can greatly reduce the cost of your first few tickets.
While some players have access to full-fledged online lottery games, other states don’t have such platforms. In many cases, these states allow an alternative option: lottery couriers. These services operate online and send a runner to buy your tickets, then send winnings to you directly.
🎟️ Where to buy online lottery tickets
Here’s a quick glance at the lottery apps that allow online lottery play. Note that other states may have their own services; we’re focusing on the most popular here.
| ✨ Online lottery | 🎁 Bonus | 🇺🇸 States | 📱 App available | 🎯 Games |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pennsylvania Lottery | 100% deposit bonus up to $1,000 in bonus money | PA | iOS and Android | eInstants, draw games |
| Virginia Lottery | 20 free games of Fortunes of Cleopatra or 100% cash match up to $100 or a combination of both offers | VA | iOS and Android | eInstants, draw games |
| Michigan Lottery | 50% match and free $15 of popular games on your first two deposits | MI | iOS and Android | eInstants, draw games |
| Jackpocket | $2 credit for a free game | AZ, AR, CO, ID, MN, MA, MN, MT, NE, NH, NJ, NM, NY, OH, OR, TX, DC, WV | iOS and Android | Draw games, scratchers (some states) |
| Jackpot.com | $2 credit for a free game | AR, MA, NJ, NY, OH, TX | iOS and Android | Powerball and Mega Millions |
| TheLotter | 10% cashback on your first order | MN, NY, OR, TX | iOS and Android | Powerball and Mega Millions |
| Lotto.com | None | AZ, AR, CO, MA, MN, NE, NJ, NY, OH, OR, TX | iOS and Android | Powerball and Mega Millions |
| Mido Lotto | Free ticket on sign-up | AZ, CA, CT, DE, MT, OH, OR, TX | iOS and Android | Powerball and Mega Millions |
🇺🇸 States with iLottery
A handful of states allow online lottery. Each market’s rules and regulations are different, so you’ll encounter various game options, deposit limits, and gameplay restrictions depending on where you play. Below, we walk through three of the biggest states offering iLottery games.
Pennsylvania iLottery
Pennsylvania is one of the top states for online gambling, and its portfolio of options includes online lottery games. PA first launched its online lottery on June 4, 2018. Online lottery games in PA include draw games like Powerball and Mega Millions, plus a host of instant games.
New players can use the bonus code WELCOME for a 100% deposit bonus up to $1,000. You must deposit at least $10. The bonus money comes with a 10x playthrough requirement. If you deposit $100 and get $100 in bonus money, you’ll need to play $1,000 total before the bonus becomes cash.
The PA iLottery is accessible on a computer via the official website or on mobile with the Android or iOS app.
Virginia iLottery
The Virginia Lottery began selling tickets online in July of 2020. To this day, dozens of games are available online via desktop and mobile, including Powerball, Mega Millions, Cash4Life, and many instants.
The VA Lottery offers new online players a special bonus. You can’t get it via retail play, so it’s an online exclusive! Further, it lets you choose between three lucrative bonus offers:
- Code PLAYGAMES: 20 free games of Fortune of Cleopatra after you make your first deposit.
- Code PLAYCASH: 100% cash match on your first deposit, up to $100 maximum.
- Code PLAYBOTH: 10 free games of Fortunes of Cleopatra and a 50% cash match on your first deposit, up to $100.
You can choose one offer. Once you claim one, the others will no longer be available.
Michigan iLottery
Michigan was among the first wave of states to legalize online lottery games (Illinois was the first in 2012). Michigan started offering online lottery services in August of 2014. Since then, Michigan has become a midwestern hub for online gaming.
New MI lottery players can snag a welcome bonus that applies to their first two deposits. Register for an account to get a 50% match and free $15 play of the site’s most popular game on your first two deposits. The deposits need to be $10 or more to qualify. The MI Lottery doesn’t list a promo code for this offer. The deposit match maximum is $200.
🚚 What is an online lottery courier?
Lottery couriers are available in many states that don’t have their own online lotteries. These third-party services let you buy tickets via a mobile app and/or website. A representative will then purchase a physical ticket from a retailer and upload a picture of it to your account. The ticket is yours, and you get any winnings from it.
The rules around winnings vary by provider. Jackpocket, for example, sends winnings under $600 straight to your account for withdrawal. Larger winnings result in a secure ticket drop-off, so you can redeem it on your own. Check the terms and conditions of a lottery courier to ensure you know the rules surrounding winnings.
Online lottery couriers make money by charging fees on your deposits and purchases. Jackpocket’s fees range from 7% to 10% on each deposit. Mido Lotto charges $1 per deposit under $20. TheLotter takes a different approach and charges a fee of up to 30% of each game’s price.
Lottery couriers are legitimate businesses offering safe online options for lottery players. Where they’re available, you can use them to essentially play online.
Cole Rush
If you live in a rare state with both an official online lottery and a courier, you should play at the official site. You’ll encounter fewer fees and surcharges this way. Pros and cons of online vs. your local store
| Online lottery | Retail play |
|---|---|
| Play from a computer or mobile device | Play from a registered lottery vendor (must drive, walk, etc. to get there) |
| Online deposits and withdrawals | Scan tickets via online app to claim winnings where applicable |
| Powerball and Mega Millions available | Powerball and Mega Millions available |
| Other draw games and eInstants | More draw games, scratch-offs, and exclusive in-person games |
| Some side games are not available for big draw games | All options available for multi-state draw games |
🎁 Bonuses for online lottery players
Most online lottery methods—whether an official state-run site or a courier service—will reward new players for signing up with a welcome bonus. These can range from free games to deposit matches. Here are five of the best US online lottery welcome offers.
| Lottery | Bonus offer | Min. deposit | Bonus code |
|---|---|---|---|
| Michigan iLottery | 50% match and free $15 of popular games on your first two deposits | $10 | None needed |
| Virginia iLottery | 20 free games of Fortunes of Cleopatra or 100% cash match up to $100 or a combination of both offers | $5 | PLAYGAMES, PLAYCASH, or PLAYBOTH |
| PA iLottery | 100% deposit match up to $1,000 in bonus money | $10 | WELCOME |
| Jackpocket | $2 credit for a free game | $10 | None needed |
| Jackpot.com | $2 credit for a free game | $2 | None needed |
🎯 Types of online lottery games
The most popular online lottery games are Powerball and Mega Millions. Makes sense, considering they’re both offered in many states and have massive jackpots. However, online lotteries offer plenty of other options, too.
Multi-state lotteries
The two biggest multi-state draw games are Powerball and Mega Millions.
Powerball
| States: | 45 states plus Puerto Rico and DC |
| Not available in: | Alabama, Alaska, Hawaii, Nevada, Utah |
| Drawing dates/times: | Monday, Wednesday, and Saturday at 10:59 p.m. ET |
| Base ticket cost: | $2 |
| Minimum jackpot: | $20 million |
| Add-ons: | Power Play |
Mega Millions
| States: | 45 states plus DC and the US Virgin Islands |
| Not available in: | Alabama, Alaska, Hawaii, Nevada, Puerto Rico, Utah |
| Drawing dates/times: | Tuesday and Friday at 11 p.m. ET |
| Base ticket cost: | $2 |
| Minimum jackpot: | No fixed amount |
| Add-ons: | Megaplier |
State-specific lottery games
Outside of the huge Multi-State games like Powerball and Mega Millions, state lotteries tend to offer additional draw games. These have smaller prize pools but also fewer players. They often look similar to the Powerball or Mega Millions structure.
For example, the Virginia Lottery offers Cash 5 with EZ Match. Players pick five numbers between 1 and 45 (with no repeats) per ticket. Each play costs $1, with an additional $1 required for EZ Match.
That’s just one example; every state lottery has its own games like this. Check with your local retailer or visit the online app to see what you can play in your state.
Instants and scratch-offs
Instants and scratch-offs are essentially the same thing. The term “instants” is most commonly used to describe quick-play online games. In many cases, these look and play like slot games (though the outcome is determined before the spin). Others look more like actual scratchcards, but with slick animations and gameplay elements instead of actual scratching. You can demo games on certain lottery sites to get a feel for them.
Scratch-offs are the physical predecessors of eInstants. They’re the cards doled out by a vending machine at a retailer, which you can scratch off with a coin to see if you’ve won. If you like scratch-offs, chances are you’ll enjoy eInstants at online lotteries.
⚖️ Online lottery laws by state
| State | Lottery status | Available games | Min. age |
|---|---|---|---|
| New Jersey | Legal | Multi-State Draw Games: Powerball, Mega Millions, Cash4Life State Draw Games: Jersey Cash 5, Pick 3, Pick 4, Pick 6 Other Games: Quick Draw, Cash Pop, Fast Play Scratch-Offs: Various online scratch-off games available through apps like Jackpocket. | 18 |
| Pennsylvania | Legal | Instant Win Games: Big Money Slingo, Cash Buster Bonus, Deal Or No Deal, Foxin’ Wins Again, Lucky You, Monster Wins Reveal, Prospector’s Gold, Super Cash Buster, Super Gems, Volcano Eruption Reveal. Draw Games: Available online for subscription only includes, Mega Millions, Powerball, Pick 2, Pick 3, Pick 4, Pick 5, Wild Ball, Cash 4 Life, Cash 5, Match 6, Treasure Hunt, Millionaire Raffle. | 18 |
| Michigan | Legal | Multi-State Draw Games: Mega Millions, Powerball State Draw Games: Lotto 47, Lucky for Life Other Games: Club Keno (in-store only), Fantasy 5 | 18 |
| Georgia | Legal | Multi-State Draw Games: Powerball, Mega Millions, Cash4Life Local Daily Draw Games: Fantasy 5, Cash 4, Cash Pop, Cash 3 Diggi Games: Over 100 instant-win and online scratch-offs Quick Win Games: Instant-play games with progressive jackpots Keno: Available online with live drawings every three-and-a-half minutes | 18 |
| Illinois | Legal | Multi-State Draw Games: Powerball, Mega Millions State Draw Games: Illinois Lotto, Lucky Day Lotto, Pick 3, Pick 4 (with Fireball option) | 18 |
| Kentucky | Legal | Multi-State Draw Games: Powerball, Mega Millions State Draw Games: Kentucky Cash Ball 225 (formerly KY Cash Ball), Lucky for Life Instants Online: Electronic versions of scratch-off games, including Dazzling Diamonds, Silver Stars, Astro Cash, Match 4, Super Cash Spectacular, Crossword, Lightning Keno | 18 |
| New Hampshire | Legal | Draw games: Powerball, Mega Millions, Lucky for Life, Pick 3, Pick 4, Gimme 5, Tri-State Megabucks Plus | 18 |
| Virginia | Legal | Draw games: Mega Millions, Powerball, Cash4Life, Pick 3, Pick 4, Pick 5, Cash 5 Instant games: Jackpot Spectacular, Supreme Jackpots, Luminous Loot, Super Spin Jackpots, Mega Money Jackpots, Bucks Triple Play, Wild Jackpots, Western Wins, Magic Jackpots, Spellbound, Million Dollar Countdown, The Lamp Other games: Virtual Sports | 18 |
| Massachusetts | Legal as of 2024, launching in late 2025 | Draw games and e-instant games will be available once the online lottery launches in late 2025. | 21 |
🤔 How to play online lottery games
Playing online lottery games is easy once you create an account. Here’s how to get started using the PA Lottery as an example.
-
Choose an online lottery site
Make sure it’s a state-lottery operator or a reputable courier service, depending on your market. -
Enter personal information
Sign up by filling in the required information: name, email, phone number, birthdate, address, and other details. You may need a government-issued ID and/or your SSN to confirm your age and identity. If required, enter your promo code to claim the bonus. -
Enter payment details
Connect an eligible payment method and deposit funds. Keep your bonus in mind here, especially if it’s a first deposit match. -
Choose a game
Peruse the available games and select the one you want to play. Some sites might even let you subscribe to multiple drawings in the future. -
Check results
Check your results after the drawing occurs. You can also check your email for notifications to see if you’ve won.
🎉 You won! How do you claim your winnings?
The process to claim winnings varies by method.
Most winnings can be claimed directly within a state lottery app. The amount of the win matters, though. In Virginia, you will automatically get any prizes under $5,000 in your account. Bigger prices require a visit to a claim center along with your ID, social security card, and (ideally) a pre-scheduled appointment.
Michigan’s rules are slightly different. Prizes below $600 are auto-credited to your online account. Prizes from $600 to $99,999 require an online claim. Once processed, your prize will be deposited into your account for withdrawal. Prizes of $100,000 or more require a claim center visit.
Since each state has different rules, you should check the website or contact customer service for details on how to claim winnings.
Courier services have their own rules for winnings. Jackpocket automatically grants winning up to $600 via your account, which you can then withdraw. Larger prizes result in a secure ticket delivery, at which point you are responsible for claiming it via the state’s official processes.
Other courier services operate in the same way. TheLotter US has the same $600 threshold. Check the FAQ of your chosen lottery courier for more information on how to get your winnings.
🤑 Biggest lottery jackpots in the US
The 10 largest jackpots in US history have all exceeded $1 billion. Only one of them was split among a few winners while the others were all claimed by a single lucky player.
| Game | Jackpot | State | Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| Powerball | $2.04 billion | California | November 7, 2022 |
| Powerball | $1.765 billion | California | October 11, 2023 |
| Mega Millions | $1.602 billion | Florida | August 8, 2023 |
| Powerball | $1.586 billion | California, Florida, and Tennessee | January 13, 2016 |
| Mega Millions | $1.537 billion | South Carolina | October 23, 2018 |
| Mega Millions | $1.350 billion | Maine | January 13, 2023 |
| Mega Millions | $1.337 billion | Illinois | July 29, 2022 |
| Powerball | $1.326 billion | Oregon | April 7, 2024 |
| Mega Millions | $1.269 billion | California | December 27, 2024 |
| Mega Millions | $1.130 billion | New Jersey | March 26, 2024 |
⚠️ Online lottery tips and strategies
The lottery is a form of gambling, which means there’s never a guarantee that you’ll win. Our tips and tricks are geared toward making your experience more fun overall.
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🔢 Choosing numbers
Find creative ways to pick numbers to increase your enjoyment of the lottery. Our biggest tip? Use birthdays sparingly. Multi-state draw games feature numbers up to 70. That leaves out more than half of the possible numbers in any birthday. Get inventive and try something different. -
👥 Joining syndicates
Syndicates are groups of people who participate in lottery games together and share any winnings. They’re a nice way to make your lottery game more social. -
💲 Setting a budget
This is a core facet of responsible gambling. Set your budget and stick to it. Most lottery apps and courier services have options you can toggle to limit your weekly or monthly deposits. -
🧐 Understanding odds
Your odds are the same whether you know them or not, but it’s nice to know them anyway! Odds of winning the Mega Millions jackpot are 1 in 302,575,350. That’s a long shot (of course), but the lowest prize of $2 has odds of 1 in 37. Even if you don’t win a jackpot, the odds may provide better opportunities for smaller wins. -
🏊 Lottery pools
Some lottery couriers, like Jackpocket, allow lottery pools. These let you pool your tickets with other players in supported states. Wins are split between players. It’s essentially an online lottery syndicate.
🛑 Responsible gambling
The best thing you can do to play online lotteries responsibly is to set limits and keep them static. As mentioned above, many state lotteries and courier services have built-in tools for this sort of thing.
If your lottery experience stops being fun and starts to feel sad or frustrating, consider stopping and reaching out for help. There are many services nationwide that offer free support to problem gamblers, such as KindBridge Behavioral Health, the National Problem Gambling Helpline, and Gamblers Anonymous.
💡 FAQs
This depends on the state. In legal online lottery states, you can buy tickets and play games directly from the lottery’s app or website. In states with lottery courier services, you can use an app to buy tickets, which are then purchased by a runner and scanned into your account.
Yes. State lotteries offering apps are safe and trustworthy. Lottery courier services such as Jackpotcket and Lotto.com are also safe to use, provided the state you’re in allows them.
Small wins are sent straight to your account for immediate withdrawal. Larger wins (typically those $600 or above) require a more rigorous claims process through the state lottery.
Some do! Jackpocket has a lottery pool option in certain states where it operates.
You must provide certain identification when signing up to play an online lottery. However, certain states allow winners to remain anonymous when claiming winnings. Check your state’s policies on anonymity before playing if this is important to you.
This depends on the app or service in question. Official state online lotteries tend to allow credit/debit. Courier services usually have a wider array of options, such as PayPal, Venmo, or Apple Pay.
Yes. Only a handful of states have official lottery apps. Many others allow indirect online play with courier services like Jackpot.com.
Most services will notify you directly via email if you win. You can also check numbers via the lottery’s official website or app.
Jackpot winners must go through the official claim process by visiting a claim center. Make an appointment first to ensure you are seen (chances are you’ll have to make a trip since these centers aren’t everywhere). Courier services will arrange a secure delivery of any ticket with a big prize (usually more than $600).
All lottery winnings are subject to state and federal tax. Big prizes usually come with tax forms and automatic withholding, but consult a tax professional if you have more questions.
The odds of winning the Powerball grand prize are 1 in 292,201,338. Odds of winning the $2 prize are 1 in 38.32. Prizes between those fall somewhere in the middle, with larger prizes having longer odds.