The number of states in the US where online lottery is available is slowly growing, as lawmakers realize the potential revenues of giving people the ability to purchase online lottery tickets.
Online lotteries have taken off around the world in recent years, ridding people of the need to actually go to shops and eliminating cases of ticket loss or forgetfulness which has led to people losing their jackpots much more times than one can imagine.
Stark Difference between Europe and US
One interesting phenomena is that while online lottery is very popular worldwide, it has been slow to catch up in the US. Statistics made public by the US lottery last year have shown that young Americans between the ages 24-34 are less likely to play in any lottery – the reason ascribed was the way that the tickets were sold. These statistics are contrasted with the numbers coming out of the UK, where about 25 percent of the players are young and purchase their tickets online.
Online US Lottery Change Apparent
A study recently released by Gaming intelligence company GamblingCompliance has highlighted the stark difference between states where online gambling as a whole is regulated and states where online lottery is available or expressly authorized. While online gambling is currently available only in Nevada, Delaware and New Jersey, online lottery tickets can be bought at 12 states. 2014 has seen the addition of three new states to that number – Georgia, Michigan and Minnesota.
In 2015, it is estimated that Kentucky will launch online lottery and that 1-3 states will initiate online lottery requests – while others keep the subject in debate.
States Will Come Online – Slowly
While major lotteries like Powerball and Mega Millions and local lotteries have people arriving at stores to purchase their tickets, the loss of potential customers is huge. One of the main concerns states have regarding the issue is the possible impact on brick and mortar stores that sell lottery tickets.
RAWA Impact
The returning move to restore the Sheldon Adelson-backed America's Wire Act (RAWA) ban on internet gambling introduced by Utah rep. Jason Chaffetz seems like a long shot now with opposition by many Republicans, but until it dies it will also be something on the minds of states looking at online lottery.
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