Thanks to modern advances in technology and recent changes in legislation, some US states now allow residents to play the lottery online. These changes in the US online lottery system have allowed the rise of several online lotteries offering lottery games and ticket sales to players.
Virginia lottery
Run and operated by an official state entity
The ticket price is the same as when you purchase online
A good mix of state lotteries and digital-only games
Extra games and second chance opportunities are available
Must be 18+, a U.S. resident, and pass identity verification for an iHOPE account. Eligible users must never have funded their iHOPE wallet and must deposit $10+. Online purchases are allowed only while physically in GA; locations in AL, FL, SC, TN, NC and every other state/DC are restricted
On Registration (no deposit required) 50 free games of Instant Keno (50 bets = $5.00 total value per offer) -On first deposit – Get 50% up to $100 + free games of Treetop Treasures (20 lines x 5 bets = $5.00 total value per offer) – New players only located in State of Michigan, 18 or older – Full T&C apply
Although it is not yet legal in all US states, up to seven states now offer online lotteries, allowing millions of players to access lottery games from their computers and phones.
While this is a welcome development, keeping up with what and where you can play can be a little difficult. Each state has its own unique set of laws and each lottery platform differs in terms of the games, bonuses and other features they offer.
In this article, we’ll list some of the best online lotteries and provide a comprehensive guide on how to select the best lottery sites for you. Read on for our guide to choosing the best online lotteries in the United States.
Is online lottery legal in the USA?
People have been playing lotteries in the United States since the 1700s, even before the US became an independent country. While there were already hundreds of lotteries in the US since the 18th century, there was no official state-wide lottery until 1934 when Puerto Rico became the first US territory to fully legalize lottery games. It would take another 30 years before the lottery was officially sanctioned by a US state with New Hampshire legalizing lottery games in 1964.
Today, 44 US states and three territories run a state-wide lottery. While the lottery remains illegal in six states (Alabama, Alaska, Hawaii, Mississippi, Nevada, and Utah). The country does not currently run a federal lottery. Instead, each state and territory offers their own unique instant win-and-draw games. All the states with legalized lotteries (except Puerto Rico) also participate in Powerball and Mega Million lotteries, which are the closest thing to a national lottery that players can get.
While physical lotteries started receiving attention in the 20th century, it would take several more decades before online lotteries became acceptable in the US. This was due to the 1961 Wire Act which outlawed all electronic transactions related to gambling. However, in 2011 the US Department of Justice clarified its position on the Wire Act and applied it to sports betting alone. This new perspective opened the doors for many states to introduce online lottery for players.
Online lottery is still not available everywhere, but the number of jurisdictions offering state-run iLottery options keeps growing. Some states run their own platforms directly, while others use approved third-party providers for certain products.
Here are the jurisdictions to know right now if you’re looking for legal, state-linked iLottery options:
New Jersey
Pennsylvania
Michigan
Georgia
Illinois
Kentucky
New Hampshire
District of Columbia
Rhode Island
Connecticut
Virginia
Kansas
Tennessee
North Carolina
West Virginia
Delaware
A few other states are widely viewed as potential next movers, too. For example, industry chatter often points to Massachusetts as a state that could launch iLottery in the future. That said, timelines can change quickly, so it’s always worth checking official state lottery updates for the latest.
Top Rated Legal US Online Lottery Sites For August 2026
Michigan Lottery: 50 Free Games of Instant Keno + up to $100 FREE
Pennsylvania Lottery: Deposit Bonus up to $1,000
Virginia Lottery: 50% Match up to $100 & 20 Free Games
Georgia Lottery: Online promos available
Kentucky Lottery: Online promos available
Rhode Island Lottery: Online lottery options available
List of the Best Online Lotteries
We have assessed the best online lotteries based on their game options, bonuses, ease of access, and other criteria and selected some of the best online lottery sites to play in the United States.
Here’s a brief overview of each of these lotteries and why you should consider playing on them.
Lottery site
Biggest jackpot
Mobile app
Legal states/jurisdictions
Virginia Lottery
Varies by game
Yes
VA
Pennsylvania Lottery (PA iLottery)
Varies by game
Yes
PA
Michigan Lottery
Varies by game
Yes
MI
Georgia Lottery
Varies by game
Yes
GA
Kentucky Lottery
Varies by game
Yes
KY
Rhode Island Lottery
Varies by game
Yes
RI
District of Columbia Lottery
Varies by game
Yes
DC
Connecticut Lottery
Varies by game
Yes
CT
Delaware Lottery
Varies by game
Yes
DE
Kansas Lottery
Varies by game
Yes
KS
Tennessee Lottery
Varies by game
Yes
TN
West Virginia Lottery
Varies by game
Yes
WV
North Carolina Education Lottery
Varies by game
Yes
NC
Virginia Lottery
Virginia Lottery is the official online lottery ticket sales platform of the Commonwealth of Virginia. As a state-operated lottery platform, all lottery tickets purchased on the VA Lottery app or website are fully backed by the state. This way, players can always be confident of their ticket purchase since it’s just as legitimate as buying from in-person retailers.
Virginia Lottery hosts an extensive library of lottery games which gives players a massive amount of flexibility in selecting the games to play. While the instant win lineup is a little limited (about 70 games), there’s a huge variety in other game types in terms of their theme and payout rules.
Virginia lottery
Run and operated by an official state entity
The ticket price is the same as when you purchase online
A good mix of state lotteries and digital-only games
Extra games and second chance opportunities are available
New users only, 18+. Available in VA only. Full T&C apply
Georgia Lottery
Georgia Lottery online play runs through its iHOPE system, so expect verification and location checks to be part of the deal. That extra friction is not exciting, but it’s also what keeps online play regulated and tied to official rules.
Promotions in Georgia usually show up as official offers inside the platform, not as a public “Georgia Lottery Bonus Code” floating around the internet. The practical move is to check the promotions area first, then decide your deposit based on what you actually qualify for, not what a third-party site claims.
Georgia is also a state where location settings can make or break the experience. If the app cannot confirm you are in Georgia, nothing else matters, including promos
Must be 18+, a U.S. resident, and pass identity verification for an iHOPE account. Eligible users must never have funded their iHOPE wallet and must deposit $10+. Online purchases are allowed only while physically in GA; locations in AL, FL, SC, TN, NC and every other state/DC are restricted
Kentucky Lottery
Kentucky Lottery is one of the newer names people search when they are looking for legal online lottery play, and it’s a state where promo structure is often misunderstood. Most offers are set up as official promotions tied to eligibility and timing, not a copy-paste “Kentucky Lottery Promo Code” you can reuse whenever you feel like it.
If you are in Kentucky and using the official channels, the experience is usually straightforward once your account checks are done. Where players get caught is assuming every promo applies to every game type or assuming promos last forever. Kentucky promos can be time-boxed, so checking what’s live before you deposit is the simple win.
Kentucky is also a good example of why official promos matter. You can see the rules, the dates, and the limits, which makes it much easier to avoid scammy “bonus code” pages.
100% match on your first deposit, valid up to $1,000
Rhode Island is a smaller jurisdiction, so online offerings can feel more product-specific. The main upside is legitimacy. If you are using Rhode Island’s official lottery channels, you are not guessing about rules, support, or prize handling.
The smart way to approach Rhode Island is to check what products are actually available online at the time you play. Smaller markets can adjust their online catalogue and promos more often, so it pays to verify before you fund your account.
If Rhode Island promotions are live, treat them like most state offers: official, time-boxed, and tied to eligibility, not a random “Rhode Island Lottery bonus code” from a coupon site.
PA iLottery is Pennsylvania’s official online lottery platform. The state-operated lottery platform offers convenient online lottery games for Pennsylvanian residents. Players interested in playing PA Lottery games online can visit the PA iLottery website or download the app to see all the available games. Players can also make deposits and initiate withdrawals using the different payment methods available within the app.
PA iLottery mainly offers draw games and eInstant games. The platform currently hosts about 150 eInstant games, all offering immediate payouts of up to several million dollars.
The platform also offers some of the biggest lottery jackpots you’ll find in the United States. While the maximum jackpot varies for different lotteries, some games offer players an almost unlimited prize potential.
Players must be 18 years or older and located within Pennsylvania at time of play. Full T&C apply
Michigan Lottery
The Michigan Lottery platform is the state’s official lottery operated by the Michigan Bureau of State Lottery (MSL). As a state-sanctioned lottery, you can be sure that the online platform gives you the same level of integrity and security as buying from authorized offline retailers.
Michigan Lottery is one of the biggest online lottery platforms in the United States. It currently offers more than 160+ instant-win games and is consistently updated with new titles every few weeks. The platform also offers tickets to nationwide lottery games like Powerball and Mega Millions as well as Keno, Pull-Tabs and Fast Cash games. The Michigan lottery platform is also known for its generous bonuses which include a welcome bonus on a new player’s first two deposits as well as several time-limited promotions for existing players.
On Registration (no deposit required) 50 free games of Instant Keno (50 bets = $5.00 total value per offer) -On first deposit - Get 50% up to $100 + free games of Treetop Treasures (20 lines x 5 bets = $5.00 total value per offer) - New players only located in State of Michigan, 18 or older - Full T&C apply
District of Columbia Lottery
DC Lottery is a separate jurisdiction, so it deserves its own mention instead of being lumped into “states.” If you’re located in DC and using official channels, you get a regulated route to lottery products without relying on third-party shortcuts.
The biggest practical factor in DC is still location. Online play is designed to work inside the jurisdiction, so if you are traveling or your device cannot confirm location, you can hit a wall quickly.
Connecticut Lottery
Connecticut’s official lottery products give players a state-backed option with clear rules and support. The main benefit is that it’s regulated and documented, so you are not trying to decode legality or chase vague third-party claims.
If you play in Connecticut, treat promos the same way you would in any state-run platform: check official promotions first, then deposit only once you know what qualifies and what expires.
Kansas Lottery
Kansas is a name to watch as iLottery grows across more jurisdictions. If Kansas offers online lottery products where you are, the safest option is always the official channel, because it’s the only place where the rules are guaranteed to match reality.
Kansas is also a place where you should ignore generic “Kansas Lottery promo code” claims unless they are reflected in official promotions. If it’s real, it will be posted with terms, dates, and eligibility.
Tennessee Lottery
Tennessee’s official lottery products are the correct starting point if you are in-state and want legal play. The practical advantage of any state-run setup is clarity: promos, limits, and rules are set out by the lottery, not by random deal pages.
If you see a “Tennessee Lottery bonus code” claim that cannot be verified on official channels, treat it as noise. Real offers come with official terms and a clear promo window.
North Carolina Education Lottery
North Carolina’s education lottery products are well-known, and online availability depends on the product category offered through official channels. The best approach is simple: verify what you can play online, then stick to the official platform for payments and promotions.
North Carolina is another place where location checks matter. If the system cannot confirm you are in the right place, purchases and promos can fail even if your account is otherwise fine.
West Virginia Lottery
The West Virginia Lottery runs the state’s official online platform, iPLAY. That means you’re playing through the lottery itself, with the same regulated guardrails you’d expect from buying a ticket at a licensed retailer.
West Virginia is one of the more complete online setups right now. Through iPLAY, you can buy draw-game tickets online (including Powerball and Mega Millions) and play iLottery instant games from your phone. The catch is the usual one: you must be physically in West Virginia, and you must be 18+.
Delaware Lottery
Delaware is stepping properly into the iLottery world with its official DE iLottery system, giving players a regulated way to play online without relying on third-party workarounds. It’s tied into the Lottery’s existing ecosystem, including Player’s Club-style account tools and verification.
The key thing in Delaware is that online play is treated as internet games, with a 21+ requirement on the official platform. The early focus is eInstant games, with availability and promotions varying by period. As always, geolocation applies, so you’ll need to be physically in Delaware for real-money online play.
JackPocket & theLotter
You’ll often see Jackpocket and theLotter mentioned in “best lottery app” lists. They work differently from the state-run platforms above. These are lottery courier services in select locations, meaning they purchase physical tickets from licensed retailers on a player’s behalf. That can be convenient, but availability and acceptance can vary depending on state rules and product restrictions. For that reason, we treat couriers as a separate category and recommend using official state-run iLottery platforms where available.
Factors to Consider When Choosing the Best Online Lotteries in the United States
Licensing
Online lottery is still a relatively tricky field to navigate as far as safety and licensing are concerned. Therefore, you should always check to confirm a lottery site’s license and certification before you decide to use it. Since there’s no federal lottery in the United States, each state handles its own licensing. You should check to ensure that the lottery site is duly licensed by the lottery board of the respective state.
In addition to being approved by the state authority, several other organizations work to ensure the safety of online lottery sites across the United States. Look out for certification such as the NCPG ICAP, which guarantees that the lottery site follows the best practices in player protection.
Site Security
Similar to the point stated above, you also need to consider the overall safety of the casino site before you play. The best online lottery sites use the latest encryption technology to protect the private information of players. They also have safety measures in place to ensure the integrity of deposit and withdrawal transactions. Before depositing on lottery sites, be sure to confirm the player protection measures the site has in place to ensure your safety.
Bonuses for Players
Everyone likes bonuses. Whether it’s free games, free bets, or cash rewards, bonuses can give you an edge and boost your winning chances. In addition to being safe for players, the best online lottery sites offer competitive bonuses. This criteria can be a great way to choose between lottery platforms.
However, you must look beyond the bonuses offered by the platform itself. What’s more important are the terms and conditions for the bonuses. Almost all lottery platforms offer some form of bonus to players. What sets them apart are the requirements that must be fulfilled to get the bonus. For instance, some lottery platforms require you to deposit cash within 24 hours to claim your welcome bonus. They August also set specific wagering requirements that must be fulfilled before you can withdraw your winnings. Look for lottery platforms with the most favorable conditions for players.
Accessibility
Part of what makes online lottery attractive to players is the possibility of gambling conveniently on their mobile devices. The best online lottery sites make this possible for players by providing accessible web-based platforms and intuitive mobile apps. These apps are available for both Android and iOS devices. They offer features such as easy scanning of lottery tickets, quick mobile payments and the possibility of playing instant lottery games online directly on the app
Payment options
Finally, consider the payment options offered by the casino. This is another important criterion because it determines the ease of use of the online lottery platform. The best online lotteries offer multiple deposit and withdrawal options for players. This August include credit or debit cards, e-wallets, gift cards, and ACH bank transfers.
In addition to the deposit and withdrawal options, you should also consider other factors such as the minimum and maximum deposits/withdrawals, payout times, and other limits. For instance, while a lottery site August offer fast payouts, the payout limit might make it unsuitable for high-rollers. Consider all of these to choose a lottery site with reasonable payment terms.
US Online Lottery Games Options
Online lotteries in the United States offer different types of games. It’s always best to play on platforms with an extensive library of games because they give you more options both in terms of game quantity and variety. Online lottery games are broadly grouped into draw games, instant games, keno, and fast cash games. These game categories are covered in greater detail below:
Lottery Draw Games
Draw games are the most traditional form of legal lottery games in the United States and they’re the most popular games offered by most online lotteries. This type of lottery involves selecting random numbers and waiting for a scheduled draw to pick the winning numbers. Powerball and Mega Millions are examples of draw games that have become quite popular on online lottery sites. But there are several others, depending on the specific state you’re playing from.
Instant Lottery Games
Instant lottery games are also commonly referred to as scratch-off tickets that reveal symbols or numbers almost instantly. This lottery game format is characterized by immediate results popular titles in this category include Spicy Hot 7s, Bison Stampede and Vegas Cash Drop. One of the best things about instant lottery games is that they’re ideal for beginners due to their simplicity. Most online lotteries offer instant lottery games with various themes and designs. So, if you enjoy instant win games, you might want to watch out specifically for them on the online lottery you want to play on.
Keno Games
With keno games, players choose numbers within a specific range (usually between 1 and 80). The winning set of numbers is then selected randomly and announced. Players earn prizes based on how many of their chosen numbers match the selected winning number. Online lottery sites typically have very few keno games, mainly because this game format typically has very few variations. Some of the most popular options include Super Keno and Multiplier. Keno games are relatively easy to play, with straightforward rules. You might want to watch out for them if you’re new to lottery games.
Fast Cash Lottery Games
Fast cash lottery games are like scratch-off tickets, offering the possibility of winning immediate prizes. Most fast cash lottery games feature a progressively growing jackpot which leaves players with the potential of getting huge wins after a specific period. Some of the most popular fast cash lottery games include 20X the Cash, Wild Time Progressive, Lucky 7s, and Extreme Green. Compared to other game types, fast cash lottery games are limited in availability on online platforms. However, their popularity is starting to grow gradually.
Best US Online Lotteries FAQ
Is online lottery legal in the US?
Yes in some states and jurisdictions. State-run iLottery is only available in select places and usually requires you to be physically located there to play.
Do online lottery sites offer any bonuses?
Yes. Official platforms run welcome offers and limited-time promos, but they change often. Check the promotions page to confirm what’s live.
What odds do online lottery sites offer?
Odds depend on the game, not the site. Jackpots are long shots, while smaller prizes can be more common.
What are the most popular online lottery games in the US?
Draw games and online instant-style games are usually the most played, with keno-style options in some states.
Can I play the lotto on my mobile device?
Yes. Most legal iLottery platforms offer a mobile app or mobile site, with age and location checks.
What are the requirements to play online lottery games in the United States?
Typically 18+, pass verification, and be physically located in the state/jurisdiction due to geolocation rules.
Are online lottery winnings taxable in the US?
Yes. Winnings are generally taxed federally, and often by the state too.
Do US states use third-party distributors for lottery tickets?
Sometimes. Some states allow approved lottery courier services, which are different from state-run iLottery sites.
Since graduating with an English and Media degree back in Dublin, I took a leap and landed in sunny Barcelona—where I’ve been working as a copywriter ever since, with over 3 years of experience in iGaming, sports betting, sweepstakes casinos, and everything in between. As an avid sports bettor and a recreational casino goer (yes, I’ve chased my fair share of bonus rounds), writing about this industry quickly became my niche. Working with platforms like WSN, Casinomeister, Online Casino Canada/UK/Ireland, I’ve written about pretty much anything you can bet on and would consider myself a bit of an expert! These days, I’m still working out of Barcelona—a city that lives and breathes sport. You’ll regularly find me at their matches, losing my head over a dodgy VAR decision. Favourite part of the job? Testing the platforms, games, and bonuses—all in the name of research, of course. 😉 There’s nothing better than rolling up your sleeves, trying out the latest offers, and sharing what’s actually worth your time and money. My message to you: Play smart, have fun, and don’t chase losses – the house always wins. And hey, if a sportsbook’s promo looks too good to be true… read the terms and conditions (trust me). 😄
