When you think of lottery, you probably picture a game that is played with the chance of winning a huge sum of money. Luckily, you can play lottery games online. In fact, some of these games can be played on your mobile phone or tablet. Moreover, some are available across the US, including in New York.
In the United States, lotteries are run by state governments. Currently, there are 45 states in the US that offer state-wide lotteries. Several US territories also run their own lotteries. These include Puerto Rico, the US Virgin Islands, and Washington, D.C. Although only a few states offer online lottery tickets, several more are considering legalizing the practice.
Lotteries are a form of gambling that has been around for centuries. Many first colonists held lotteries to help finance their colonies. Some colonies used the income from the lotteries to fund public projects, like fortifications. King Francis I of France organized a lottery in 1539, believing that the proceeds could help fund major government projects. The earliest known record of a lottery with a prize is from the Roman Empire.
Currently, the largest national lottery in the US is MegaMillions. Players select 5 balls from a total of 70, and pay $2 for each ticket. Winnings range from $5,000 to $300,000. It is also offered in the US Virgin Islands and Washington D.C. Those who win a large amount of money are subject to a 24 percent federal tax and an additional 3.876 percent tax in the state of New York.
While there are no plans for an online lottery in New York, some other states are in the process of legalizing the online lottery. Massachusetts, Rhode Island, and New Jersey have all begun the process. However, there are currently only seven jurisdictions in the US that have an online lottery. Whether or not these states will be able to sell tickets online will depend on the popularity of third party sites, such as thelotter.
Until recently, the United States did not have federal laws prohibiting online lottery purchases. However, some states have been unwilling to take the risk, citing verification challenges. As a result, the Department of Justice clarified its position in 2011, opening the door to more online lotteries. After that, eight jurisdictions rolled out online lotteries. A few more are in the works, with some of them expanding their services to include Instant Games.
Online lotteries are not as popular as sports betting and online casinos, but they are steadily growing. Online lottery tickets start at only a few cents and can reach $20. Buying a ticket online is convenient and secure when it is handled by a state-sanctioned vendor. If you win a prize, your online lotto site will automatically withhold 24% of the prize in order to pay for the state’s tax.
For those who aren’t comfortable using a third-party platform, the best websites will give you the option to check your winnings on your computer or smartphone. They will even send you a W2-G form if you win a prize worth more than $500. You can also get a “check my numbers” tool, which allows you to check the numbers that you have selected.