The online lottery industry is booming around the world. According to estimates, nearly 49% of the world’s population has access to the internet, up from 41% in 2015. Additionally, mobile phone ownership has increased dramatically, with nearly 8 out of 10 people in developing countries owning one. This number is projected to rise steadily over time.
There are more than a dozen US states that offer lottery games online, and more are expected to do so soon. Many states already offer online subscriptions, and some even allow players to play scratch card games. You can purchase tickets for state-level drawings and major multistate drawings online, and some even offer instant win scratch cards.
Several factors are driving this growth. Increasing smartphone use and the availability of internet facilities are driving demand for online lottery games. Rising incomes and increased acceptance of new technologies are also helping attract new players to online lottery games. As a result, the global online lottery market is expected to grow at a significant rate during the next decade.
In the United States, online lottery sites are completely legal, and some websites even feature geolocation technology to avoid fraud. This helps ensure that players are not attempting to purchase lottery tickets online from out-of-state. After the Department of Justice revised its opinion on the Wire Act, states have had the freedom to regulate online gambling and lottery sites.
While traditional lottery games are expensive, many online lottery games are available for free. These games typically require the player to sign up for a mailing list or view advertisements in order to enter. Other ways to enter the lottery include watching the draw on TV or listening to the radio. Additionally, many lottery operators now live stream lottery draws on YouTube. This is convenient for lottery agents who are based overseas.