Lottery online is a game of chance where people can win prizes from the comfort of their homes. Players can choose between instant scratch-off games and more traditional lottery-style draws with large jackpots. Most lottery sites will offer a range of payment methods and also offer the ability to track ticket purchases. They will also have a support section where they can ask questions and receive assistance with any issues.
One of the reasons why lotteries are so popular is that they’re very easy to play. All you need to do is pick a few numbers, or you can use the quick-pick option and let the software pick them for you. You can also set a number shield to protect your winnings, which will keep you from losing more than you win. Another reason is that most lotteries have fixed drawing times, so you can know when the next draw will be.
Most online lotteries aren’t actually government-run, but rather private businesses that act as middlemen for official state-run lotteries. They usually charge a small fee to purchase entries to the official lottery game, but there are some that will allow you to play a wider selection of international games.
Despite the resistance from some states, online lotteries are growing. Pennsylvania, for example, launched PA iLottery in 2018, and the following year saw an increase in traditional game sales. Opponents of online lotteries have valid concerns, including cannibalization, but the evidence seems to contradict them.