Throughout history, lotteries have been used by governments to fund important government projects, like building the Great Wall of China or improving fortifications during the Middle Ages. Today, lottery games operate in 45 US states. They also operate in Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands. Depending on the state, you may be able to purchase tickets online. Here are a few of the most popular US lotteries.
Powerball is the largest multi-state lottery in the United States. The jackpot for this game can reach a staggering $1 billion. It generates the biggest jackpots in the industry. In addition to Powerball, there are Mega Millions and Lotto America. The majority of the profits from the lottery go to education and colleges, but the rest goes to the general fund, state parks and wildlife habitats, and open space conservation.
The Oregon Lottery is another multi-state lottery. The profits go to the state’s schools, natural resources, parks and problem gambling treatment programs. The state also offers a variety of draw games and scratch-offs. Among the many different types of draw games are the popular Instant Win games. These are similar to real scratch-off games and offer you five chances to win every game.
The Missouri Lottery started in 1986. The state offers a selection of multi-state draw games and scratch-offs. It is a member of the Multi-State Lottery Association (MUSL).
The Maryland Lottery features a variety of drawing and scratch-off games. It is a member of the Multi-State Loteries Association (MUSL). Its revenues help support the environment, public health, and the state’s school fund.
The New Hampshire Lottery began in 1964. It has several draw games and the popular Powerball. It is one of the few lotteries in the US to offer the MegaMillions game. It also offers a wide variety of games, including Keno, Cash4Life, and several local draw games.
The North Dakota Lottery was approved by voters in 2002. It offers four multi-state draw games, including Lotto America and Mega Millions. The lottery also offers a few in-house games. The proceeds from the lottery go to the state’s general fund, school aid and gambling treatment and prevention programs. The proceeds from the lottery are divided among the state’s towns, cities, and school districts.
The Maine Lottery has been operating since 1974. It offers three in-house games and a handful of draw games. The Missouri Lottery is one of the most popular lotteries in the US because it operates in eight states. The Iowa Lottery, also part of the MUSL, offers many draw games, including Cash4Life. The Montana Lottery, a charter member of the MUSL, features eight draw games. It also offers the popular Mega Millions and Megabucks Plus. The Montana Lottery’s profits help pay for the education and health care of elementary and high school students.
The Pennsylvania Lottery launched an online version of its game in 2018. In the year before the launch, the site reported total game sales of $4 billion. It is the second state to implement a full-featured online lottery. However, legal trouble could keep the Pennsylvania iLottery from going live. The state is planning to raise $250 million over the next five years.