Currently, lotteries in the United States are available in forty-five states. Some of them operate a state-wide lottery, while others only offer local games. A few states offer instant win games online.
The first US state to offer a lottery was New Hampshire in 1964. Since then, lotteries have been operated in forty-five states, Puerto Rico, and the Virgin Islands. The federal Wire Act has been interpreted differently by each state, but most states allow for legal online lottery sales.
Several other states have begun to explore the potential of legalizing online lotteries, but many have not yet caught up to this trend. The biggest multi-state game, Powerball, is available in more than half the US. Depending on the size of the prize, it may be necessary to visit a local lottery claim center to submit a winning form.
There are a few other state-based online lottery games, including Kentucky and Rhode Island. Both have recently introduced a digital app that allows users to play lotto. In the past few years, third-party lottery apps have also emerged.
There are also several state-based and multi-state draw games available. Some of these games include Powerball, Mega Millions, and Keno. Some of these games are available almost anywhere in the US, and can be played on mobile applications.
North Dakota and North Carolina both have lottery systems. The former was approved by the voters in 2002, while the latter is officially called the North Carolina Education Lottery. Both states’ proceeds go to a variety of causes. Those causes include education, public safety, and law enforcement. The funds are then allocated by the governor.