When you buy lottery tickets online, the process is similar to purchasing anything else online. You create an account, select the game or tickets you want to purchase, and provide payment information. The site will then keep track of your numbers and winnings for you. If your state is part of a multi-state lottery, you can also purchase tickets for national draws like Powerball or Mega Millions.

Some lottery sites, called betting sites, let you play the same numbers as the official lotteries for a lower cost. These sites are licensed and regulated. You don’t receive an official ticket but the best betting sites use random number generators to select winning numbers. These generators are popular because they take the emotion out of selecting your numbers and allow you to make rational choices.

It is important to note that the best lottery sites feature responsible gambling resources and helplines. They also offer robust age verification processes and follow strict gambling laws. These measures are a good way to prevent underage gambling and ensure the safety of players.

Most states now sell lottery games online. Illinois became the first to do so in 2012, and other states including Georgia, Kentucky, Maryland, Michigan, New Hampshire, and Pennsylvania have now followed suit. In addition, a few major third-party courier services operate in states that don’t sell their own lottery games. These companies have representatives who go into stores and purchase physical lottery tickets, then scan them for you to provide as proof of ownership.