Can You Play The Lottery Online In The U.S.?
Yes, but only in certain states and only through specific paths. Some states sell tickets through official lottery websites or apps. Some states allow courier services that order official tickets from licensed retailers. Online scratch-card and sweepstakes games may feel similar, but they are separate products and are not official lottery-ticket purchases.
Real Lottery Tickets vs Online Scratch Card And Sweepstakes Games
- Official iLottery: a state-run online lottery website or app.
- Lottery courier: a third-party service that orders official tickets where allowed.
- Online scratch-card and sweepstakes games: separate games with separate rules, currencies, eligibility, and redemption terms.
Official iLottery vs Couriers vs Online Scratch Card And Sweepstakes Games
Official State Lottery Websites And Apps
Official iLottery means the state lottery itself runs the online purchase or play experience. The state lottery controls eligible games, account rules, location checks, prize claims, and responsible-play tools.
Official online lottery access currently tracked
- Connecticut
- Delaware
- District of Columbia
- Georgia
- Illinois
- Kansas
- Kentucky
- Maryland, subscription-limited
- Michigan
- New Hampshire
- New York, subscription-limited
- North Carolina
- North Dakota, subscription-limited
- Pennsylvania
- Rhode Island
- Tennessee
- Virginia
- West Virginia
Lottery Courier Sites
Lottery couriers are not state lotteries. They take an online order and arrange for an official ticket to be purchased or fulfilled through a licensed retailer where the service is allowed.
- Jackpot.com: currently lists Arizona, Arkansas, Colorado, Massachusetts, New Jersey, New York, and Ohio on its states page.
- Lotto.com: currently lists Arizona, Arkansas, Colorado, Maine, Massachusetts, Minnesota, Nebraska, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Oregon, and Puerto Rico on its state selector.
- Mido Lotto: currently names Arizona, California, Delaware, Montana, and Oregon and describes licensed-retailer fulfillment, geofencing, and age verification on its official site.
- TheLotter US: currently lists Arizona, Minnesota, and Oregon on its official U.S. site.
- Jackpocket: currently lists Arizona, Arkansas, Colorado, District of Columbia, Idaho, Maine, Massachusetts, Minnesota, Montana, Nebraska, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Oregon, Puerto Rico, and West Virginia on its official site.
Online Scratch Card And Sweepstakes Games
These are separate from official lottery tickets. They may offer scratch-card or prize-style play, but they do not sell official lottery tickets.
- Scratchee: a digital scratch-card sweepstakes platform focused on Scratchee Cards.
- Stake.us: a sweepstakes social casino with scratch-card games inside a larger casino-style game library.
Scratchee is scratch-card-first. Stake.us is social-casino-first. Neither should be treated as a lottery courier or official state lottery.
What States Allow Online Lottery Tickets?
States fall into three broad groups: official state online lottery access, courier-supported access, and states where Lottery Valley does not currently track a verified real-ticket online path.
Official online lottery examples
- Illinois: official online access for eligible draw games and FastPlay through the Illinois Lottery.
- Georgia: official online lottery access through Georgia Lottery iHOPE.
- Kansas: Kansas Lottery PlayOn shows eInstant games and draw-game access signals.
- Maryland, New York, and North Dakota: examples of subscription-limited or narrower official online access.
Courier-supported examples
- Arizona: Jackpot.com and Lotto.com both list Arizona; operator age rules may differ.
- New York: Jackpot.com and Lotto.com list New York, while the official lottery also has a subscription path for some games.
- Oregon: Lotto.com and Mido Lotto both list Oregon.
States without a state lottery
- Alabama
- Alaska
- Hawaii
- Nevada
- Utah
Powerball and Mega Millions are sold across many U.S. lottery jurisdictions, but that does not mean every jurisdiction sells tickets online.
Can You Buy Lottery Tickets Online From Another State?
Usually no. Online lottery platforms and couriers commonly check where you are physically located when you order. If a state or operator requires in-state location, being a resident somewhere else does not let you bypass that rule.
Buying a ticket in person while visiting another state is different. In that case, the ticket is generally tied to the state where it was purchased, and prize claims follow that state’s rules.
How To Play Lottery Online
If Your State Has Official iLottery
- Go to the official state lottery website or app.
- Create an account and complete age, identity, and location checks.
- Choose eligible draw games, instant games, FastPlay, or subscription products.
- Review deposit, spending-limit, and prize-claim rules before purchase.
If Your State Uses Courier Ordering
- Confirm the courier lists your state as available.
- Check age and geolocation requirements.
- Review service fees and ticket proof.
- Confirm how small and large prizes are handled.
If Only Online Scratch Card Or Sweepstakes Alternatives Are Available
- Confirm the product is not selling official lottery tickets.
- Read eligibility, purchase/no-purchase, currency, and redemption rules.
- Check excluded states before creating an account.
- Treat the product as separate entertainment, not a way to buy official lottery tickets.
What Happens If An Official Online Lottery Ticket Wins?
Swipe sideways to compare all columns.
What Happens If An Online Scratch Card Or Sweepstakes Game Wins?
Swipe sideways to compare all columns.
What To Check Before Creating An Account
- Is this an official state lottery, courier, or separate game platform?
- Does it operate in your state?
- Does it require geolocation?
- What age rule applies?
- Are there service fees?
- Can you see ticket proof or game rules?
- How are small prizes paid?
- What happens above the state claim threshold?
- Are withdrawals, redemption, or playthrough rules involved?
- Is there a responsible-play limit or self-exclusion tool?
For in-depth checks, use the lottery courier guide, Jackpot.com guide, Scratchee guide, Stake.us guide, lottery scams guide, and lottery tax calculator.
Lottery Valley may have commercial relationships with some operators. Read the affiliate disclosure and review methodology for how partner coverage is handled.