Online lottery is a fast, convenient way to play popular lotteries like Mega Millions and Powerball. You can also bet on sports and international lotteries from the comfort of your own home or office. Online lotteries are regulated by state gaming authorities and offer secure, reputable payment methods. The best online lotteries also provide a variety of bonus offers and discounts.

Most states have a website where you can purchase official state lottery tickets. Some sites will have someone go into a store and buy a physical ticket for you, then send you a scan of it. These are often the best option for players who don’t want to deal with taxes, or if they are out of state or country. Some of these services will even handle tax payments for prizes of $600 or more.

The best online lotteries are state-licensed and feature SSL encryption to keep your personal information safe. They should also have a strong track record of payouts and be backed by a trusted payment processor. They should also allow you to use a variety of reputable payment methods, including credit cards and PayPal. They should also have a password-protected account, and have security logos on their site.

The Illinois state lottery was the first to launch an online lottery, allowing residents to play both individual games and subscriptions in 2012. Illinois Lottery players can also choose to participate in daily lotteries like Pick-3 and Pick-4, as well as bigger jackpots like Powerball and Mega Millions.