Online lottery is an alternative to traditional lotteries that allow players to purchase entries into national and international lotteries. Most of these websites are private businesses that act as middlemen to the official government-run lotteries; however, they do not sell tickets directly. Instead, they offer a variety of games to choose from and award prizes to the winners. If the jackpot prize exceeds a set amount, they may choose to pay out from their own profits or take out insurance, depending on what makes more sense financially. Reputable sites will make these things clear to you through their platforms and terms of service.

When choosing an online lottery site, you should look for one that offers a wide selection of lottery games, high customer support standards, and secure payment methods. These are the most important aspects to consider to make your online lottery experience safe and enjoyable.

Some online lottery websites also feature syndicates, which are group play options that increase your odds of winning. They will allow you to buy multiple tickets at once, and they will share the winnings with everyone in the group based on their percentage of the total amount of tickets purchased.

Another factor to consider is whether or not the online lottery site has a mobile application. This will give you the convenience of playing your favorite lottery games from anywhere and at any time. It is also a great way to stay on top of your entries and results.