While traditional lotteries are government-run, the majority of online lotteries are not. Instead, they are privately-owned businesses that act as middlemen between players and ticket sellers. While players still buy entries to government lotteries, the number of games available online is much wider. While these online lotteries may seem more convenient, they may not be as secure as the traditional lottery. Here are some tips for making the most of your online lottery experience:

Most legitimate online lottery providers will never ask for money from players to release a prize. But you should always keep in mind that scammers have used this tactic for years. For that reason, it’s imperative to always make your transactions with a reputable lottery provider before receiving your prize. The only exception is if you are purchasing a ticket in person, which isn’t advised because you might have to re-wire the money back to the scammer.

In 2012, Illinois was the first state to approve online lottery ticket sales. By the end of the year, they added online lottery ticket sales for Powerball games. In 2013, they added online sales of daily lottery games, Keno, and instant games. Eventually, they added online ticket sales for Powerball and Mega Millions. Despite the legality of lottery ticket sales online, it remains to be seen how quickly the online lottery industry will grow in the coming years.