Buying lottery tickets online is an easy and convenient way to play. There are two types of lottery games: instant tickets (also known as scratch offs) and the standard draw-based games like Powerball or Mega Millions. Instant tickets include a book code and game code that are scanned when you purchase them at the kiosk or over the internet, and a numbered ticket that is checked at the ticket booth to confirm you won. Unlike traditional retail locations, online lottery sites have the added advantage of being able to track your purchases and winnings for you, reducing the chances of losing your tickets or misplacing them.

Many reputable online lottery websites offer responsible gambling features. These tools allow players to set daily, weekly or monthly deposit limits and take regular breaks from gaming to help maintain healthy gaming habits. They also provide information on responsible gambling resources and support organizations. In addition, most of these sites have strict age verification measures to prevent underage gambling.

Some states also sell online lottery tickets directly through their official lottery sites. Currently, you can purchase online tickets through the state lotteries of Georgia, Illinois, Michigan, New Hampshire, Rhode Island and Pennsylvania. Additionally, major third-party courier services such as Jackpocket and USA TODAY’s e-Instants operate in states that do not have their own lottery apps and are licensed to buy tickets for you in those jurisdictions. These services use geolocation technology to verify your location and age before purchasing your ticket.