Online lottery is the activity of playing a lottery game with the help of an internet connection and a web browser. It can be played on websites devoted exclusively to lottery games, or even on traditional websites that offer a variety of gambling options. The lottery industry is a huge part of the overall gaming market, and its growth has been supported by technological developments.

The increasing popularity of lottery games in the US has led to a rise in the number of lottery websites that cater to players from across the country. Some of these websites are operated by renowned gambling operators, and others are newer and less established. As such, it is crucial for players to research the legitimacy of a lottery website before spending their hard-earned money.

In order to determine whether a lottery website is legitimate, players should check its license information and ensure that the company behind it has a solid reputation. They should also look for a secure payment system and read reviews to see what other players have experienced. If all of this checks out, then it should be safe to play the lottery on that site.

Despite fears that the increased availability of lottery games would cannibalize retail ticket sales, online lotteries have proved to be highly successful. In fact, online lottery is expected to continue growing as a result of rising internet penetration around the world. The growth of online lottery games has been further supported by the widespread adoption of smartphones.