Online lottery is a great alternative to traditional lotteries. Instead of having to visit a brick-and-mortar store, you can buy your tickets from an online site that’s licensed and regulated by the state in which you live. However, there are a few things you should know before making a purchase.
First, online lottery sites don’t actually draw the winning numbers. They act as avenues through which you bet on the lottery and win prizes for doing so. This means that they have to make money somehow, so they add on extra fees to the ticket prices. These fees aren’t necessarily bad, but they do drive up the price a little bit.
In addition to the actual lottery games, online lottery sites often offer other features like scratch-cards, keno, and raffles. They also allow players to choose how they want to play the lottery, such as through a straight pick or a box selection. Some websites even help players deal with tax payments. For example, if you win more than $600, the website will send you a W2-G form and withhold 24% federal tax as well as whatever the state’s rate is.
The online lottery is growing quickly. While opponents have valid concerns, such as problem gambling and cannibalization of traditional game sales, the statistics show that online lottery sites are having a positive impact on state revenue. However, there are many scams out there, so it’s important to do your homework before choosing an online lottery site.