The history of lotteries dates back to Ancient China. Governments used to organize lotteries to finance important government projects, including the Great Wall of China. In the Roman Empire, lotteries served as entertainment at dinner parties. Emperor Augustus instituted the first commercial lottery, which helped repair the City of Rome. Since then, lottery-related businesses have flourished in many countries, including the United States, the United Kingdom, and Germany. Today, many governments have a lottery program in place to generate revenue for the state.
Several jurisdictions have adopted online lottery sales. As of 2015, seven states operate online lotteries. Eight jurisdictions operated lottery websites through the Internet as recently as 2015. However, the state of Minnesota ended its online lottery program after being challenged by the Department of Justice (DOJ). Moreover, online lottery sales are legal because the Department of Justice clarified its position on the Wire Act. Some states have their own lottery online apps; others rely on third-party applications. States without an online lottery program cite problems with verification.
Online lottery websites are an effective way to access and play lotteries. You can play lottery games from any computer, tablet, or smartphone. Many of the leading lottery sites have mobile versions of their websites. The primary purpose of these sites is to provide information about winning numbers, locations, and contact information. Some states also offer Instant Games, which are casino-style games that let you play and wager without visiting a lottery office. The Internet makes lottery games more accessible to lottery players.