Online lottery is a form of lottery where players place bets on winning combinations of numbers. These bets are made via a dedicated website or app which offers a variety of games. In order to play the lottery, players must be of legal gambling age and have access to a computer or mobile device that supports the software. The best online lottery sites will also provide bettors with helpful tools to help them manage their bankroll and keep track of the amount they’ve won or lost.

The first US state to offer a full online lottery site was Illinois, which began offering state-specific games in 2012. Since then, more and more states have legalized lotteries online. Today, players in 44 US states can buy tickets for national lotteries like Powerball and Mega Millions via dedicated state websites.

When playing lottery online, be sure to use a trusted site that’s regulated by the state gaming authority. These sites will have secure payment methods, password protected accounts, and SSL encryption to ensure your privacy. They’ll also have customer support agents available to help with any questions you might have.

Another way to improve your odds of winning is by purchasing more tickets. This is known as forming a lottery syndicate, and it’s an excellent way to extend your betting bankroll and increase the number of tickets you can purchase. In fact, lottery syndicates are responsible for a fifth of the top prize winnings in some lotteries.