Online lottery is a relatively new trend that has state lotteries looking to expand their reach to the internet. This has been made possible with technological advances that make it easier for people to buy tickets online than ever before. While some critics fear that this could cannibalize traditional lotto games, most evidence suggests that it is merely a supplement to existing sales.

Several states have already gotten on board with this trend. Illinois started offering online lotto games in 2012, and since then other states have jumped on the bandwagon. These include Georgia, Illinois, Kentucky, Michigan, New Hampshire, and Pennsylvania.

In addition to selling tickets online, some of these sites also sell subscriptions to certain games. This allows players to purchase a certain number of tickets into various lottery draws for weeks to months on end. The price varies depending on how many drawings you choose to participate in. Some lotteries also offer special deals for certain games, such as the Powerball and Mega Millions.

The majority of online lottery sites are private, and it is important to remember that they are not necessarily legitimate. In order to protect yourself, you should always read the terms and conditions and privacy policies of a site before using it. This will help you avoid wasting your time on scams or losing money on bogus promises.

Another factor that should be taken into account is the security of your financial information. Legitimate lottery sites will have specific security measures in place to keep your daily transactions secure. They will also have SSL encryption and other trust logos on their websites. You should never provide any personal information to an unsecure website.

In some cases, you may need to visit the physical location of a lottery store to claim your prize. This is especially true if you win a large amount of money. In most cases, however, if you win up to a certain minimal amount your winnings will be automatically deposited into your account. Some lottery sites will even handle this process for you if you are unable to do it yourself.