Online lottery is a form of online gambling that involves playing real-money games for the chance to win prizes, such as jackpots. Its popularity has increased since its introduction in the United States. It is a legal activity in most states and offers players the opportunity to participate in multiple lotteries from the convenience of their own homes, work places, football stadiums or local pubs. The only requirement is that the players adhere to their respective state’s laws on online lottery play.

The requirements for purchasing tickets online vary from state to state, but typically include identity verification and payment options. The most common payment methods are credit cards and electronic check, with some retailers offering specific solutions such as debit card payments. Additionally, most states require that players be a resident of the state in which they are buying tickets. This is to ensure that the player is not trying to buy tickets from outside of the state, which would be illegal.

In addition, many legal online lotteries use geolocation technology to determine the geographic location of each player. This technology helps prevent online lottery purchases from being made from out-of-state residents. This feature also protects the integrity of the game by ensuring that the winning ticket is purchased by an eligible player. The District of Columbia became the latest jurisdiction to launch a legal online lottery in 2020, utilizing the provisions granted it when it secured a sports betting supplier in 2019. Its instant-win games are known as eInstants and are supplied by IWG.