Online lottery has come a long way since Illinois made it legal in 2012. Today, most states have their own online lotteries or partners with national ones like Powerball and Mega Millions. While there are a few differences between these sites, the best of them should be easy to use, load fast and be free from ads. The top sites will also offer multiple payment methods, including e-wallets and credit cards.
Whether you play a regular lottery or an online game, you should always look for a site that is licensed and regulated by a reputable gambling authority. This information is usually shared in the footer, but it should also be clearly visible on the cashier page.
Another important factor when choosing an online lottery site is how they handle prize claims. For small prizes, winnings typically get credited to the winner’s account automatically. Larger prizes, like jackpots, require more work and often involve submitting proof of identity. The most reputable lottery websites will make this process as simple as possible, and they will even help you figure out how to claim your prize in person.
A good online lottery website will offer a variety of games and betting options, as well as customer service that is available around the clock. The site should also be secure, and it should use SSL encryption to protect your data from hackers. Finally, it should have a good reputation amongst players, and the best lottery sites will show this in their reviews.