Lottery online is a form of Internet gaming that provides players with an opportunity to win cash or prizes by entering a draw. These websites often offer games that are similar to those found in land-based casinos, but they offer the convenience of playing from home. In addition, these sites typically offer bonuses and promotions to lure in new customers. They also feature secure payment methods. These sites have become popular with those who do not wish to travel long distances to play the lottery.

Lotteries are government-controlled gambling events that distribute a portion of proceeds to charitable organizations, sports teams, or public works projects. In the United States, there are multiple state-controlled lotteries. Some are operated by private companies, while others are operated by the federal or local governments. In Canada, a province can establish its own lotteries under provincial legislation. The national lottery is administered by the Interprovincial Lottery Corporation, a consortium of the five regional lotteries owned by their respective provincial/territorial governments: Atlantic Lottery Corporation (New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, Prince Edward Island, Newfoundland and Labrador), Ontario Lottery and Gaming Corporation (Ontario), Manitoba Lottery and Gaming Corporation (Manitoba), and British Columbia Lottery Corporation (British Columbia, Yukon, Northwest Territories, and Nunavut).

Many countries regulate their own national or state-run lotteries. Other lotteries are run by private businesses or other organizations such as churches or universities. Some are organized on a pan-European basis, such as the EuroMillions lottery managed by Camelot Group, which has offices in London and Paris. The Spanish Christmas Lottery is the largest lottery in the world, with a prize pool of EUR2.4 billion annually.

In the past, lotteries were a common way to raise money for public purposes. They were also important sources of income for religious orders and the aristocracy. However, they were not legal in all jurisdictions, and were often used as a way to avoid paying taxes.

In the 1990s, a number of companies began offering Internet-based lotteries. These companies used technology developed by GTech Corporation, based in West Greenwich, Rhode Island. The company pioneered Internet gaming and processed the first online lottery transaction in 1995. Its website currently features over 50 different lotteries. The International Lottery in Liechtenstein (ILLF) was the first Internet-based lotto, and continues to operate as a government-authorized, not-for-profit organization that supports charitable projects both domestically and abroad. It also offers an online version of its popular PLUS Lotto game.