The first lottery records date back to the Ancient Chinese period, between 205 and 187 BC. The proceeds from these games helped fund important government projects such as the Great Wall of China. The Roman Empire also saw its fair share of lotteries, often as entertainment for dinner parties. Emperor Augustus even organized the first commercial lotto game, to help repair the City of Rome. Today, lottery games are an important part of every country’s culture. Many people are addicted to the chance to win big!
In addition to physical lotteries, many states now have websites dedicated to lottery gaming. These websites serve the basic utility of seeing the winning numbers and location information. A handful of these sites are expanding their service offerings to include Instant Games, casino-style games that allow people to wager money on the outcome of a lottery game. These Instant Games can be played on the web or through mobile apps. There is no need to go to a physical lottery hall to play the lottery, and they’re great for kids as well.
Although the United States’ experience with online lotteries is relatively new, seven states have approved the sale of tickets online. As federal laws are still being clarified, these states will make their own decisions. Until then, online lottery sales are a comparatively slow process. Despite this, lottery enthusiasts are generally in favor of this technology. A recent opinion by the Department of Justice determined that the Wire Act only applies to sports betting, clearing the way for states to regulate this form of online gambling.