When you play lottery online, it’s important to keep in mind that your ticket purchase is not only a chance to win a big jackpot but also supports state-run programs like education, veterans services, natural resources and more. Currently, more than 30 states have a lotto game that you can play virtually.

Most lottery sites offer a syndicate feature where players buy tickets together for the same draw, essentially doubling their odds of winning. If your numbers come up, you and the other members of your syndicate share the winnings based on how many tickets you bought. This is especially popular with the biggest US lotteries such as Powerball and Mega Millions.

Some online lottery sites act as agents, buying official tickets on your behalf and sending you a scanned copy of the receipt. This allows them to give you better pricing since they don’t have the overhead of buying physical tickets. However, you should be aware that this approach carries some risks and you’ll need to read the terms and conditions carefully.

Other lottery websites use a subscription model where they charge the same price for tickets as you would pay in brick-and-mortar shops (no premium). This is usually a safer option, and it also makes it easier to manage your subscriptions, as most of these sites will email you the results of each drawing as soon as they happen.

A good online lottery site should also have a decent selection of games, including a variety of betting options and prize boosts. It should also accept a variety of payment methods to make it accessible to as many people as possible.