The history of the lottery is short. The first recorded lotteries were held in the Low Countries, where they raised money for poor people and for town fortifications. The lottery quickly gained popularity and was welcomed by many as a way to raise funds without the hassle of taxes. The oldest continuously running lottery is the Staatsloterij, which was instituted in 1726. The word lottery comes from the Dutch noun meaning “fate.”

Today, more than forty states run a lottery, as do the US Virgin Islands, Puerto Rico, and the District of Columbia. There are no federally run lottery games in Alabama, Alaska, Hawaii, Mississippi, or Nevada. However, the popular Powerball and Mega Millions are available almost everywhere, making them de facto national lottery games. In fact, both games have more than 100 million registered players. This popularity has led to a number of new lottery websites.

The Rhode Island lottery launched its online games in the summer of 2020. There was no new state law needed to allow the online lottery, as the state’s sports betting supplier was allowed to sign an agreement for online lottery services. However, the online lottery’s development was a low priority until the COVID-19 pandemic struck the state, which closed down most of its retail gaming outlets. The online lottery launched less than a year later, and despite all the concerns, the Rhode Island lottery is a huge success.

There are many benefits to online lottery gaming. In addition to allowing people to check results, online lottery websites can help you buy tickets. Many states now offer instant win scratch-off games and lottery tickets. Some even offer multiple-state draws, which is convenient for players who live in more than one state. However, the main draw for most lottery games is the jackpot, which can be quite large. If you’re unsure about the lottery game rules, it is best to check with your state’s Department of Justice.