While gambling online is popular, the legalization of lotteries has not spread as far as it has for casinos. The only way for a state to benefit directly from expanded gaming is to have an online lottery run under its own auspices. Currently, six states have legalized online lotteries, with more attempting to follow suit. The legalization of online lotteries will be the next step for gaming regulators. Despite the high costs and risks, online lotteries have the potential to bring in more money for state coffers.

A lottery app will feature information about draw jackpots and retailers in your area. You can even scan your ticket to see if you’ve won. Other apps allow you to play Second Chance games using lost tickets, and even select lottery numbers in advance. Most states that operate an online lottery will build their games directly into their apps. Since the software used for online lotteries is cross-platform, players can use the same account for mobile and web play.

Lotteries were first introduced in the US in the early 1700s, with newspaper ads from the colonial period indicating hundreds of such lotteries. The United States, including Washington, D.C., Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands, introduced their own lotteries in the 1950s. Today, more than half of the states in the US have a lottery. It is possible to play online lottery games if you live in one of these states, but you should be aware of the laws and regulations of your state.