Can You Buy Lottery Tickets Online In Minnesota
A: The only way to win the Lottery is to buy a lottery ticket or enter a second-chance contest directly on our website. You would never be asked to provide personal information over the phone or via e-mail by the Minnesota State Lottery. A legitimate lottery would also never ask you to pay taxes or fees before you receive payment. Can I buy an MN Lottery ticket online? If you're in Minnesota, you can purchase Powerball and Mega Millions tickets through Lottery.com at play.lottery.com! Can I remain anonymous if I win the lottery in MN? In Minnesota, winners’ names, prize amounts, and city of residence are considered public information. How much is the MN Lottery today?
Several US states have started to offer online lottery ticket sales through their official state lottery website. Our online state lottery guide will break down what states currently offer online lottery options and what states are currently trying to pass legislation to allow online lottery sales.
44 States already have a domestic lottery service, and since a portion of state revenue often comes from these lottery sales, lawmakers want to increase accessibility to anyone of legal age. Below is a list of the US states and what lottery options they currently offer.
| Site Name | Current Bonus | States | Play |
|---|---|---|---|
| 50% Max $100 | MI Only | Play Now Review | |
| $5 Free | PA Only | Play Now Review |
States That Offer Official Lottery Ticket Sales Online
Georgia
Georgia approved online lottery sales in 2012 becoming the 3rd state in the country to allow online lottery sales. Players must be 18 years old and a Georgia resident to purchase online lottery tickets. The GA lottery will ask for identification verification upon signup.
Online Lottery Options: Draw Games, Keno & Diggi Games
Draw Games: Mega Millions, Powerball, Fantasy 5
Illinois
Illinois was the first state to legalize online lottery sales in 2012. Residents must register and purchase subscriptions to certain lottery games. Subscriptions range from 1-25 games. There are two types of games available online; Jackpot and Daily games.
Online Lottery Options: Draw & Daily Games
Draw Games: Powerball, Mega Millions, Lotto, Lucky Day Lotto
Kentucky
Since 2016, Kentucky has offered three types of online lottery games; draw games, jackpot, and instants online. Players must be 18 or older, have a valid Kentucky address, and be within the state borders to purchase online lottery tickets. Players must also sign-up for an online account.
Online Lottery Options: Draw Games & Keno
Draw Games: Powerball, Mega Millions, Cash Ball 225, Lucky For Life
Michigan
Potential players must be Michigan residents, 18 years old, and register for an account with the Michigan online lottery. The Michigan online lottery also offers promotional codes and a special bonus when signing up.
Online Lottery options: Draw, Keno, & Instant Games
Draw Games: Fantasy 5, Lotto 47, Mega Millions, Powerball
New Hampshire
New Hampshire passed an online gaming bill that includes the sale of online lottery tickets in 2017. Online ticket sales are not available at this time, but residents can expect online lottery options to become available soon. New Hampshire will require residents to register in person.
Online Lottery Options: online lottery launch pending
North Carolina
The North Carolina Education Lottery allows the sale of 4 draw games; MegaMillions, Powerball, Cash5, and Lucky for life. Purchases can be made from the official website.
Online Lottery Options: Draw games
Draw Games: Powerball, Lucky 4 Life, Mega Millions, Cash 5
Pennsylvania
Players must be 18 years old and within state lines to play. State visitors are permitted to play after registering on the official state lottery website.
Online Lottery options: Instant Play Games
Virginia
Virginia offers online lottery tickets through a subscription-based service. Must be a Virginia resident, 18 years or older and within the state borders to make an online purchase.
Online Lottery options: Draw Games (Subscription only)
Draw Games: Mega Millions, Powerball, Cash For Life
States Where Online Lottery Was Repealed
Minnesota
Minnesota launched online lottery sales in 2014 and banned online lottery sales in 2015. Minnesota was the first state to offer online sales, ATM sales, and lottery ticket sales at gas pumps.
Lawmakers were uncomfortable with the digital service and lobbied to pass a new law to end the non-traditional sales. The online service lasted for about year before the Minnesota State Legislature voted to end the online lottery service.
Lottery Options By State
| STATE | STATE LOTTERY | ONLINE LOTTERY | PENDING LEGISLATION |
|---|---|---|---|
| Alabama | No | No | HB-112 |
| Alaska | No | No | N/A |
| Arizona | Yes | No | N/A |
| Arkansas | Yes | No | N/A |
| California | Yes | No | N/A |
| Colorado | Yes | No | N/A |
| Connecticut | Yes | No | SB-540 |
| Delaware | Yes | No | N/A |
| Florida | Yes | No | N/A |
| Georgia | Yes | Yes | N/A |
| Hawaii | No | No | SB-677 |
| Idaho | Yes | No | N/A |
| Illinois | Yes | Yes | SB-3582 |
| Indiana | Yes | No | N/A |
| Iowa | Yes | No | N/A |
| Kansas | Yes | No | N/A |
| Kentucky | Yes | Yes | N/A |
| Louisana | Yes | No | N/A |
| Maine | Yes | No | N/A |
| Maryland | Yes | No | N/A |
| Massachusetts | Yes | No | HB-135 SB-182 HB-126 |
| Michigan | Yes | Yes | N/A |
| Minnesota | Yes | No | N/A |
| Mississippi | No | No | SB-2288 |
| Missouri | Yes | No | N/A |
| Montana | Yes | No | N/A |
| Nebraska | Yes | No | N/A |
| Nevada | No | No | N/A |
| New Hampshire | Yes | Yes | N/A |
| New Jersey | Yes | No | N/A |
| New Mexico | Yes | No | N/A |
| New York | Yes | No | N/A |
| North Carolina | Yes | Yes | N/A |
| North Dakota | Yes | No | N/A |
| Ohio | Yes | No | N/A |
| Oklahoma | Yes | No | N/A |
| Oregon | Yes | No | N/A |
| Pennsylvania | Yes | Yes | N/A |
| Rhode Island | Yes | No | N/A |
| South Carolina | Yes | No | N/A |
| South Dakota | Yes | No | N/A |
| Tennessee | Yes | No | N/A |
| Texas | Yes | No | N/A |
| Utah | No | No | N/A |
| Vermont | Yes | No | N/A |
| Virginia | Yes | Yes | N/A |
| Washington | Yes | No | N/A |
| West Virginia | Yes | No | N/A |
| Wisconsin | Yes | No | N/A |
| Wyoming | Yes | No | N/A |
| Washington DC | Yes | No | N/A |
St. Paul, Minnesota resident, Brandon Stevenson won $1 million in the Powerball on July 11. Stevenson didn’t buy his ticket at the corner gas station, though. Instead, he purchased the ticket through the mobile lottery app, Jackpocket.
Stevenson is the first big winner for the company that counts two states in its portfolio: New Hampshire and Minnesota.
“This is by far the biggest winner we’ve ever had,” said Peter Sullivan, the CEO of the lottery app Jackpocket to Fox 9 News.
Jackpocket launched in Minnesota last month and has been a topic of discussion ever since.
The controversy comes from the fact that online lottery gambling is illegal in Minnesota. It seems there is a disagreement about whether Jackpocket is considered online gaming.
Basically, the app allows the player to buy a lottery ticket virtually, skipping the visit to the local convenience store.
What exactly is Jackpocket?
The five-year-old Brooklyn, New York mobile app company allows anyone in New Hampshire or Minnesota to purchase a ticket through the app. A lottery player doesn’t need to be a resident of those states; they just need to be within the borders of either state.
Jackpocket has a team that physically walks into a store and purchases lottery tickets on its customer’s behalf. After purchasing the ticket, it is scanned and sent to the customer via the app.
Winnings under $600 are automatically deposited back into the customer’s Jackpocket account. Big winners, like Stevenson, must take their ticket to the lottery office to claim the winnings. Jackpocket makes arrangements to transfer the physical ticket to the customer.
The company makes its money from a seven-percent service charge on each customer deposit. Jackpocket is also forming relationships with retailers for a portion of the commission the retailer makes when it sells a winning ticket.
Think of Jackpocket as the Uber, GrubHub, or InstaCart of lottery tickets.
Questions surround Jackpocket’s legality
There are questions around whether Jackpocket is legal in a state where online gambling is illegal.
It is legal for someone to buy a lottery ticket for someone else. It is also legal for someone to gift a lottery ticket to another person.
A person is still physically purchasing the ticket at a retailer. Does it matter whether it is the winner purchasing the ticket or not?
The Minnesota Lottery thinks the company is operating U.S. online gaminglegally and signed a Memo of Understanding to that effect.
“They operate under Minnesota statutes to make these purchases for their customers,” said Adam Prock, the director of communications for the Minnesota Lottery to the Star Tribune.
As far as we’re concerned [Stevenson] is just like any other winner, and this is like any other brick-and-mortar purchase. We’re excited we have a new millionaire in Minnesota.
Jake Grassel, the executive director for Citizens Against Expanded Gambling, disagrees. Grassel says an app that allows someone to sit on their couch and gamble by purchasing a lottery ticket is online gambling.
“What’s next — can you pay someone to sit on the slot machine while you push the button on your phone from the couch?” Grassel said.
Where To Buy Lotto Tickets
There is certainly a case for both sides. Stevenson bought his lottery ticket virtually. He also could have emailed a friend and asked him to buy a ticket for him. Is there a difference?
Sullivan says no. “It’s not online gambling. What Jackpocket does as a service is we buy that ticket on the user’s behalf,” he said.
Will the Minnesota legislature take up the issue?
Grassel contends the legislature did not intend to create this kind of loophole in outlawing online gambling. He asserts that Citizens Against Expanded Gambling will lobby state legislators to address this issue specifically.
State Representative Greg Davids (R-Preston) agrees with Grassel. Davids sent a letter to Robert Doty, the director of the Minnesota Lottery, expressing his concern.
The Minnesota Lottery’s continued refusal to work within the confines of state law is a source of ongoing frustration for state lawmakers.
Given the legal uncertainty and risk posed to our state, I urge the Minnesota Lottery to immediately rescind the MoUs and work with the Alcohol Gambling and Enforcement Division to suspend operation of reseller services until these issues can be resolved.
The Minnesota legislature convenes next in January 2019. Only time will tell whether the legality of mobile lottery apps will be on the calendar.
For now, Stevenson, a Concordia University student was able to take the ticket purchased by Jackpocket on his behalf and claim the $1 million prize. He used the credits Jackpocket awarded for referring a friend to buy the ticket.
How To Buy Lottery Tickets Online In Minnesota
Stevenson might want to keep his referral link handy. Chances are he is likely to get asked a lot about Jackpocket in the coming days.