Online Lottery refers to a lottery game that takes place over the internet rather than in a physical location. The lottery game is played by participants who buy tickets in order to win a prize, usually a cash amount. The prize is chosen by a random draw. Often a notary is present to ensure that (online) lotteries are independent from the operator and that prizes are paid out in an objective way.
In recent years Online Lottery has become increasingly popular, partly because of the convenience it offers. Players can access the lottery games from any device with an internet connection, as long as they have a computer or smartphone. In addition, they can play whenever they want to and are not limited to a set period of time, which makes the game very accessible.
While it is true that online lottery sites do add on extra fees in order to make a profit, this is a necessary tradeoff for the added convenience they offer. Legitimate sites use SSL encryption to keep your daily transactions safe from prying eyes and they should also display a number of trust symbols such as a green lock or a security badge on their site.
Currently, seven states have legalized online lotteries: Illinois, Georgia, Kentucky, Michigan, New Hampshire and New Jersey. The Massachusetts State Lottery Director Mark William Bracken has said that iLottery is on two legislative tracks: the House budget released last week included a $56 million pitch by lawmakers to legalize it, and standalone bills have been filed by the legislature.