The first recorded lotteries were held in the Low Countries. During the 17th century, public lotteries were held to raise funds for roads, colleges, canals, and bridges. Some records also show that the lottery originated in ancient China. For example, a record from 1445 in the town of L’Ecluse mentions a lottery with prizes of four hundred florins each, which is equivalent to about US$170,000 today.

Today, players can play online lottery games, but some restrictions still exist. If you play in person, you must visit a lottery office to claim your prize. Most states do not allow credit card payment for lottery tickets. However, you can play lottery games online in many jurisdictions. Whether you’re playing for the chance of a life-changing jackpot, or just for fun, you’ll need to sign up for an account. The sign-up process is similar to that of other online gambling sites, except you’ll have to provide more personal information than usual.

Some states, such as Virginia, have introduced online lottery games after the COVID-19 pandemic in late 2018. Legislation on this issue was already in the works prior to the epidemic, so the state’s Governor, Ralph Northam, signed the bill in March 2020. That same month, casinos around the country closed, but Virginia’s lottery launched less than a year later. The online lottery was a success! This makes online lotteries the easiest way for states to gain revenue from expanded gambling.