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How to Win the Powerball Lottery and Retire Early

If there is one absolute certainty about gambling in the USA it is that Americans love the US lottery. US Powerball and US Megamillions are the two biggest lottery draws in the world. No other lottery product comes close to the millions (or even billions) that can be won in these US lottery draws.

US lottery lovers have the chance to win life changing sums of cash playing either of these two major lotteries in 45 out of the 50 US states. Every Monday, Wednesday and Saturday (US Powerball) and Tuesday and Friday (US Megamillions) Americans take part in the lottery for as little as $2 per play.

It is no surprise therefore, that around the world, when people talk about gambling in the US, the lottery is the main topic of conversation. Wager in America will help guide you through all the major US lotteries. Where to buy US lottery tickets. How to purchase your entries, and what to do with the money once you’ve won the lottery.

Best Online Lottery Providers in the US

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Buy Lottery Tickets Online

Anyone can buy lottery tickets online in the USA, it is absolutely legal. However, not all states currently offer an option to purchase online lottery tickets. The only states that permit purchase of lottery tickets online through official lottery websites are Illinois, Michigan, Georgia, Kentucky, Pennsylvania, and New Hampshire.

You are still able to buy lottery tickets online through 3rd party suppliers. This is perfectly legal in the US, but you do need to check whether the site you wish to use is officially sanctioned or not.

Read on, to discover the many benefits to being able to buy lottery tickets online in the USA via a subscription service… 

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Buy Lottery Tickets Online V Buying a Physical Ticket

Many Americans simply choose to purchase their lottery tickets from their local mini-mart. But is this really their best option? Being caught up in a mad panic to buy as many ‘quick-pick’ tickets as you can once the Powerball jackpots hits $400 million is not a great idea.

The best way for Americans to take part in the biggest lottery draws is to buy  lottery tickets online. When you buy lottery tickets online you are able to take part at your leisure, knowing that everything is secure and, most importantly, that you won’t lose your ticket. 

By choosing to buy lottery tickets online it means that…

  1. Your tickets are always safe and 100% verified
  2. Receive a digital copy of your ticket
  3. You never miss a lottery draw or forget to buy a ticket
  4. Your favourite lottery numbers will be stored in the system
  5. You can check your winning lottery numbers direct from the app
  6. You receive immediate online notification

Buy Lottery Tickets Online in These US States

The only states that permit online purchase of lottery tickets through official lottery websites are Illinois, Michigan, Georgia, Kentucky, Pennsylvania, and New Hampshire. Some of these states also permit online sportsbetting, casino gambling and even online poker games. Of course all lottery players in the US may purchase lottery tickets online through a 3rd party online ticketing service. This is particularly useful if you wish to purchase a ticket for the New York Lottery draw but you live in Kansas.

Overseas Players and the US Lottery

You may be surprised to learn that overseas residents and tourists can purchase US lottery tickets. However, they must be bought and paid for in the USA. 

Tourists can purchase tickets from any recognised outlet in mainland USA. Overseas purchasers on the other hand usually buy tickets for all the major US lotteries by using a concierge service. A concierge, or a lottery ticket agent, is an online service that effectively purchases lottery tickets in the USA for its clients through official channels. They do this by operating a system of US based bureaus. 

Using this system lottery players from all over the world regularly purchase tickets to the biggest lottery draws in the US, such as Powerball and Megamillions. This has led to a number of overseas jackpot winners such as the Iraqi man wins $6.4 in Oregon lottery, which in turn helps to push US lottery jackpots ever higher. 

US citizens living and working overseas, or who are themselves tourists in Europe, or other parts of the world, also benefit. Many US citizens based overseas regularly take advantage of online concierge services to buy Powerball tickets whilst they are away.

Multi-State lotteries in the US

Due to the fact that each state has its own state lottery commission, many of the lotteries are smaller and vary from state to state. The exceptions to this are the large multi-state lotteries such as Powerball and Mega Millions. 

Both of these massive lottery draws can be played in 45 of the 50 US states. This means that the prizes that can be won can reach stratospheric amounts. Multi-million, and even billion dollar jackpots are not uncommon. 

Obviously when anybody talks about the US lottery it is these draws that tend to be the topic of conversation. 

These incredibly popular US lotteries are governed by the Multi-State Lottery Association (MUSL). 34 US states signed up to the MUSL. Although the ‘big two’ lottery games are also provided by a few non-MUSL affiliates.

Signing-Up to Play Online Lottery

US lottery players currently only have a handful of options when it comes to buying lottery tickets online. Those are… Illinois, Michigan, Georgia, Kentucky, Pennsylvania, and New Hampshire.

Lottery Games to Play Online

Residents of Illinois can buy lottery tickets online for the US Powerball and US Mega Millions as well as local state lotteries, Lucky Day lottery, Lotto Extra Shot, Pick 3 Fireball and Pick 4 Fireball. 
If you live in Michigan you can buy US Powerball, US Mega Millions, Fantasy 5, Lotto 47 and Lucky4Life tickets. You also have the option to play instant win, Keno and even casino games. 
Citizens of Georgia are super lucky as they can take part in Powerball and Mega Millions, plus Cash4Life, Jumbo Bucks, Georgia Five, Cash 3, Cash 4, Cash Pop and play games of Keno.
If you happen to be living in the ‘Bluegrass State’ of Kentucky, then besides Powerball and Mega Millions you can also play Lucky for Life, Pick 3, Pick 4, Cashball 225 and Keno.
Pennsylvania citizens have the options of playing Powerball, Mega Millions, casino games, scratchcards, Keno and virtual sports games like Derby Cash horse racing and Express car racing.
For those of you lucky enough to be living in New Hampshire. You can take part in the US Powerball, US Mega Millions, the tri-state Gimme 5, Megabucks, Lucky4Life and Keno.

Of course, if you are not lucky enough to be based on one of these six states you do have the option of registering an account with an online ticket agent (concierge). This service is a great way to be able to buy online lottery tickets for any US based lottery, or even the major European lotteries such as Euromillions or Italy’s SuperEnalotto.

Signing up could not be easier. All you have to do to be able to play lottery games online is follow these simple steps…

  1. Register an account online
  2. Choose a suitable username and password
  3. Enter your personal details
  4. Set up a subscription (recommended)
  5. Choose your regular lottery numbers
  6. Pick your favourite lottery draw

How to Buy Lottery Tickets on Your Mobile

By far the easiest and most convenient method of being able to buy lottery tickets online is with your mobile phone. All state lotteries provide mobile apps for you to download from their website or mobile phone store. Downloading a mobile lottery app is very easy and takes only a few moments. Follow these simple steps and you will be able to buy lottery tickets online in no time…

  1. Choose an online lottery supplier from our list(s)
  2. Click on the BUY TICKET button
  3. Register your details on the SIGN-UP page (it’s perfectly safe!)
  4. Download the mobile app from your chosen provider
  5. Log into your new app and make a deposit
  6. Don’t forget to pick your favourite numbers to play every draw
  7. Keep your fingers crossed and hope that you are lucky!

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Top Lottery Games in the USA

Each state in the USA is largely responsible for determining its own lottery system. Although there are two main countrywide lottery draws (Powerball and Megamillions) there are also multiple state draws too. Most of these have their own objectives such as the Arkansa Scholarship Lottery which funds college tuition for underprivileged students in the state. 

The lotteries will be overseen by a state lottery commission. There is no national lottery commission in the USA. What this means is that the biggest (and most popular) lotteries in the USA tend to be from the larger states, Texas lottery and Florida lottery for example. The New York lottery, by virtue of its population density and wealth, has the richest lottery prizes in America. 

However, for sheer size and excitement two US lotteries stand head and shoulders above all the others

Play US Powerball Online

The US Powerball lottery is the biggest lottery in the world. First drawn in 1992 it has gone on to raise more than $25 billion for good causes in America. 

The biggest ever Powerball lottery prize saw a mind blowing  jackpot of $1.586 billion (a world record) in January 2016. The cash was shared by winners in California, Florida and Tennessee.

Powerball tickets cost just $2 and are sold in 45 states  including the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands.

Draws are held every Monday, Wednesday and Saturday evening at 10:59 p.m. Eastern Time, at Universal Studios in Orlando.

Play US Megamillions Online

US Megamillions was created out of the Big Game Jackpot lottery game in May, 2002. This was the newest multi-state lottery game to rival US Powerball and involved New York, Ohio, Georgia, Illinois, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, New Jersey and Virginia. Today, the US Megamillions, like the Powerball lottery, is played in 45 US states plus the District of Columbia and the US Virgin islands.

Since Mega Millions began in 2002, there have been 196 jackpots won by 221 individual tickets. 20 jackpots have been shared by two or more winning tickets.

2018 – A Mega Year for Lottery Jackpots!

2018 was the best year for Mega Millions jackpots. During this year five major jackpots were won. 

  • A Florida player won $451 million on January 5
  • $533 million was won in New Jersey on March 30
  • $142 million was won in Ohio on May 4
  • $543 million was won in California on July 24
  • The single biggest Mega Millions jackpot of $1.537 billion was won in South Carolina on October 23, 2018. This was South Carolina’s first Mega Millions jackpot winner!

The Mega Millions draws take place every Tuesday and Friday at 11:00 p.m. Eastern Time, 10:00 p.m. Central Time, 9:00 p.m. Mountain Time and 8:00 p.m. Pacific Time. The draw, which is televised, is held at WSB-TV in Atlanta, Georgia. 

How to Top-Up Your US Lottery Account

Topping up your online lottery account is really very easy. Of course the first thing you need to do is actually register an online lottery account. 

Depending on where you live in the USA you may either choose to open an account with your state lottery provider or go for a 3rd party lottery agent or concierge. Either way, open an account with your chosen operator as soon as you can.

  1. Create your online lottery account
  2. Set up a direct debit using the banking option
  3. Pick your favourite lottery numbers
  4. Set which lottery draws you wish to take part in

What to do if You Win the lottery

OK, so you’ve just gotten off the phone from the lottery company and now you need a sit down and a large brandy. But what do you do next? The first thing you need to do is decide exactly who you need to tell. There will be an urge to tell everyone, resist it. Just tell your closest family only. By closest family we mean the wife/husband, your brother/sister and maybe the kids.

Do not, and this is most important, go on a spending spree at this stage. This may come later depending on what sort of person you are, but for now remain calm and make a plan. 

Do take the family out to dinner at the finest restaurant in your location. This is a great way for the immediate family to relax and celebrate all together. However, try not to let the bill get out of hand. There is no need to treat the other diners to oysters, or buy the most expensive champagne on the wine list for example. Although in fairness, it may be fun!

Anyway, here at WiA we have put together a quick guide of the most important things you need to consider the second you get off the phone.

First 5 Things You Should do After Winning the US Lottery

  1. Hire an independent financial advisor. You may be needing an accountant and a tax advisor too. But a financial advisor can help you in deciding where to bank your money, and with any investments you may be thinking of making. 
  2. Throw a party! It’s amazing how many family and friends you have. By throwing a party early on after your win you can gather them all together in one place, ply them with food and drink, and then set out the ground rules. One of the biggest things for lottery jackpot winners is dealing with requests for money from family and friends. This is up to you to decide (with help from your IFA) how to approach this but better that you make everyone aware of your intentions.
  3. Change your bank. Your main street bank account may have served you well over the years but they may struggle with the sudden addition of several zeros. Speak with your IFA and move your money to a specialised bank account for high earners such as Morgan Stanley or Coutts. 
  4. Quit your job. Let’s be honest here, it doesn’t matter how fantastic your job is, you simply don’t need it anymore. Also you may be helping an unemployed person with a new opportunity.
  5. Buy a house. In all honesty the one you have now may not be big enough to fit the Pool table, swimming pool and fleet of high end luxury vehicles that you will be inevitably tempted by.

Frequently Asked Questions:

Is it possible to buy lottery tickets online in the USA?

Absolutely! Not only is it possible to buy lottery tickets online in the USA, it is becoming a much more popular way to take part. More Americans are choosing to buy lottery tickets online in 2021 than ever before due to the ease of purchase, and the benefits it brings.

One of the major reasons to buy lottery tickets online is choice. Americans can legally buy tickets for the Michigan lottery online, Illinois lottery online, Georgia lottery online, Kentucky lottery online and many others.

Do online lotteries offer sign-up promo codes?

It is rare for online lottery providers to offer promo codes or bonus codes in the same way that online casinos or online bookmakers in the US do. However, it is possible to find discounts on your first lottery ticket purchase or ‘Buy One Get One FREE’ offers. Check back regularly to see which operator(s) have a promotion running.

More common is for lottery operators to offer discounts to players taking out a subscription. A subscription is a good option for many lotto players as it means you never forget to buy your entry. This is especially important if you always play the same numbers. Lottery discounts can often save you substantial amounts of cash over the course of a year.

What happens if I lose my lottery ticket?

Losing a lottery ticket could potentially be a disaster, especially if you have (had) a winning ticket. However, by buying your lottery tickets online and taking out a subscription you could avoid this scenario completely. Purchasing your US lottery tickets online is the best way to avoid missing out on millions of dollars.

Can I cash my winning lottery ticket in any US state?

You need to claim any lottery winnings from the state where you purchased the ticket. The reason for this is that every lottery ticket in the USA is subject to state and federal taxes. However you are free to buy a US lottery ticket in a state other than your home state. 

Can non-US citizens play the US lottery?

Yes, overseas residents can (and do) purchase US lottery tickets. However, they do need to purchase their tickets from within the USA. One way that many overseas lottery players get around this is by using a concierge service, from a reputable supplier, who buys the ticket on their behalf.

What’s the difference between a ‘lump-sum’ and an ‘annuity’?

Once you win the lottery jackpot you will be given the choice to either take all the money in one payment (lump sum) or in regular yearly lifetime payments (annuity). Despite there being tax benefits to receiving the yearly payments, many US lottery winners still prefer the lump sum payment. This one time payment will be subject to approximately 40% state and federal taxes though. 

The reason that many US lottery winners take the lump sum is because they (mistakenly) believe that the annuity will end upon their death. This is not the case. The annuity is paid over a period of 30 years and can be willed to a relative. This means that payments will continue even in the case of an untimely death.