When you play lottery online, you can choose from a variety of games that are available in your state. Each game has its own rules, but the general concept is that you pick a set of numbers to match with the randomly generated numbers. The more numbers you select, the higher your chance of winning. Depending on your location, you can also access other features such as instant win games and jackpots.

Lottery players can purchase lottery tickets over the internet using secure platforms. These sites allow players to buy tickets, check winning numbers, and see past results for all current and previous drawings. Some even offer a subscription service, which allows players to purchase entries into multiple drawings at one time. These services are available in most states, and they can be accessed on desktop computers, iOS devices, and Android phones.

In addition to traditional lottery ticket sales, a number of online lottery platforms now provide players with access to instant win games. The Pennsylvania iLottery, for example, offers more than 50 different instant-win games called eInstants. These games are supplied by Scientific Games and include titles such as Keystone Cash and Jungle Tumble Jackpots. The iLottery also offers a mobile app that lets customers scan their losing scratch-off tickets to earn Second Chance Drawings and bonuses.

Aside from instant win games, some states also operate national lottery games such as Powerball and Mega Millions. These national lottery games allow players from different states to participate in the same draw, creating enormous jackpots that can reach billions of dollars. In addition to the national lottery, many US state governments have their own state-based lotteries.

While the online lottery industry has been growing rapidly, the legality of the games remains a major concern for some legislators. Until recently, some companies offering lottery subscriptions online were considered illegal under the federal Wire Act. However, a 2011 opinion from the Department of Justice has cleared the way for individual states to offer legal lottery games over the internet.