Official Lottery is an online lottery website where you can purchase state-regulated online lottery tickets legally and securely. You can find information on past winners, games and jackpots as well as tips for responsible gambling. All lottery information contained on this site is subject to change without notice. The winning numbers, prize payouts and other details posted on this website are based on official drawing results. These results are reviewed and certified by a professional accounting firm before being published on this website. You should always check your local laws and regulations before buying lottery tickets.
A lottery is a form of “voluntary taxation” that generates money for the sponsoring government. Its supporters argue that, compared to other sources of revenue, lotteries are harmless and a relatively low-risk way for governments to raise money. They also say that the money is used for good causes. In the United States, for instance, lotteries have helped fund everything from churches to civil defense, and the founding fathers were big believers in them.
However, critics of the lottery contend that it exposes people to the psychological lures of addiction and is unethical because it preys on the illusory hopes of those least able to afford it. They also point to the high rates of crookedness that have plagued the business in the past.
The majority of states run their own lotteries, but some join consortia to create multi-state games and share promotional costs. Two such consortiums—Mega Millions and Powerball—serve as de facto national lotteries by combining their player pools to offer larger jackpots. State-regulated online lotteries are a natural extension of this model.