If you’re looking to play lottery online, you can do so with a number of different sites. Some are government-run, while others are private businesses that act as middlemen for other lotteries and serve as a platform where you can place bets on the outcomes of popular international lotteries. These sites are usually cheaper than official lottery agent websites, and they often offer optional betting extras and prize boosts that can lead to big payouts.

Depending on your state, you may also be able to purchase tickets or play instant-win games. For instance, the Ohio Lottery has an app called ePlaySlip that allows players to choose their numbers and scan their phone at retail locations without the need for a paper ticket. Other states like Pennsylvania and Virginia have similar apps that allow users to play their state’s games and keno, while Michigan has an iLottery app that features a handful of lottery-related games including keno, rhododendron, and flintstone.

Many people play the lottery to support their favorite causes, and a portion of lottery revenues are used for state programs such as education, veterans services, and natural resources. However, opponents of the lottery argue that online lotteries cannibalize traditional game sales and threaten to cut funding for these essential programs. However, data shows that state-regulated online lottery products haven’t had a significant impact on traditional game sales to date.

Some online lottery sites add on extra fees that increase ticket prices, but these are necessary in order to operate the site and provide you with a safe and secure gaming environment. Legitimate lottery sites will protect your information with SSL encryption and other security measures, and they will only display games that are legal in your area.