The age-old tradition of playing the lottery has seamlessly transitioned into the digital era. Players can now access their state’s official lotteries and even international ones from the comfort of their homes. But what exactly makes it possible to play lottery online?

The jackpots in many US lotteries are in the hundreds of millions and can be a life-changing amount for anyone who wins. This is one of the main reasons why so many people play the lottery. However, the truth is that winning the lottery is a game of chance and you can’t win every time. Here are a few tips to help you play the lottery smarter.

While big jackpots grab the headlines, don’t overlook the smaller games. These can have prizes in the thousands and are a great way to improve your odds without spending too much money.

You can buy tickets in most states from the official lottery website or a third-party service that offers them. Some sites have someone go into a store and purchase the physical ticket on your behalf. They usually charge a fee for this, but you don’t owe them anything extra if you win.

Illinois has had an official online lottery since 2012. The site allows users to make purchases both individually and in bulk. It also includes the popular Instant Win games. Virginia has a similar collection of online lotteries, called iLottery, that features both games and scratch-offs. Instant Win games include Street Fighter II and Keno, while the top prize for a scratch-off game is $100,000.