Purchasing lottery tickets online can be a great way to win big prizes. However, it is important to make sure that the purchase is made with a licensed and recognized lottery vendor.

Buying lottery tickets online is only possible if you live in one of the states that have online lottery tickets available. These states are all on the eastern coast of the United States.

There are two types of lottery tickets that you can buy online: in-house games and sweepstakes. In-house games are games that are run by the lottery itself. They include Mega Millions, Powerball, and Lotto America. These games offer bonus points that can lead to free tickets.

Sweepstakes, on the other hand, are games that offer prizes without requiring a purchase. These games are usually based on a random number generator. If you win, you can receive an annuity that pays you over a period of time.

In general, most lottery proceeds go to local programs and services. Profits can also be used to tackle issues such as homelessness and drug treatment. Typically, around 30 percent of ticket proceeds go to education. The remainder goes to the general fund.

North Carolina’s lottery, officially named the North Carolina Education Lottery, has been around since 2005. It has helped contribute over $5.5 billion to educational programs. The lottery has also contributed to the state’s Common School Fund.

Oregon Lottery, which began in 1983, offers a variety of games. Profits are used to fund problem gambling treatment, state parks, and natural resources.