The US lottery first came into existence in the early 1700s, with newspaper ads indicating that hundreds of lotteries were operating in the 18th century. In 1934, Puerto Rico became the first US state to operate a lottery, followed by New Hampshire. Today, 45 states and the District of Columbia operate lottery games, and the Virgin Islands will follow suit in 2021. Besides instant win games, there are also drawing games. In many cases, the winnings are taxed.

While there are a few online lottery retailers, most states haven’t yet legalized online ticket purchases. However, online lottery retailers are gaining popularity and offer the same options that brick-and-mortar retailers offer. In fact, online lottery ticket sales are now regulated in New Hampshire, Maryland, Virginia, and Washington, D.C. Kentucky is currently working on rules that will govern online lottery ticket sales. While online lottery sites are a viable option, there are still challenges to this method of purchasing tickets.

For starters, lottery apps are available in a variety of formats. The official lottery site in Kentucky, for example, has an app that will give players the chance to play Money Island on the go, and it is based on cross-platform technology. The app will usually be available for both Android and iOS devices. Players can sign up using the same account for web-based play. Then, when their lucky numbers are drawn, they’ll be notified via email and can take their prize.