Official lottery offers fun and convenience to players on the go. Play games online or download the free app*. Find winning numbers, jackpots and more*.
Lottery games have been used in the United States for centuries. The first modern government-run lottery was established in Puerto Rico in 1934, followed by the New Hampshire Lottery in 1964. State lotteries have since proliferated, offering a variety of games, from instant tickets to Keno and Xpress Sports. While critics of the lottery cite its link to gambling addiction, advocates point out that most Americans already engage in this vice, and that a small percentage of lotteries’ revenues will fund a state service—typically education, but also other services such as public parks or aid for veterans.
Historically, governments and their licensed promoters have used lotteries to finance everything from civil defense to church construction. The Continental Congress even tried a lottery to raise money for the Revolutionary War.
Today, most state lotteries use the proceeds to support public education systems. The New York lottery, for instance, has raised more than $34 billion for education since its inception in 1967.
While there is no national lottery organization, individual states often form consortiums to offer games with a larger geographical footprint and higher jackpots. For example, the Powerball and Mega Millions lotteries are operated by 45 states plus the District of Columbia and serve as de facto national lotteries. *Players must be 18 years or older to play online. Players should play responsibly and do not spend more than they can afford to lose. If gambling becomes a problem, call 1-800-GAMBLER or GamblerND in North Dakota, or visit Gamblers Anonymous.