One of the oldest forms of legal gambling in the United States is the lottery. It began in the early 1700s, and by the mid-1800s, hundreds of lotteries were operating in the U.S. A few of these games were even available across state lines. Today, there are 45 states and territories that operate their own lottery systems, including the Virgin Islands and Puerto Rico. While the number of different lottery games varies, many of these systems offer the same type of game: a draw game where a random number is chosen, followed by a jackpot.

Some of the most popular US lotteries include Mega Millions, Powerball, and the Lotto America. Each offers a chance to win the huge jackpot, but the odds aren’t as high as they seem. There are also consolation prizes that can be claimed if you’re lucky enough to get close to the winning numbers. The best sites for buying and playing lottery games will have plenty of options, and will have games from your state and from other locations.

One of the biggest multi-state lotteries is the Powerball. Currently, there are about three million tickets sold, and the jackpot can hit $1 billion. If you’re fortunate enough to win, you’ll have the chance to live your dream. You can play Powerball online, though you will need to use an official lottery site to do so.

Besides offering the national lottery, the Colorado Lottery is also home to several local game options. This state’s jackpots are only available in certain states, however. Besides Mega Millions and Powerball, you can also play Cash4Life, Powerball, and Megabucks.

In the state of Iowa, you can participate in the Lotto America, Lotto, and Lucky for Life. If you’re lucky enough to have won, you may need to fill out a claim form or bring in your identification documents or an IRS form. For larger wins, you may be required to visit a lottery claim center.

Oregon is home to several different lottery games. Since 1984, the lottery has been an effective way to fund community projects. The money from ticket sales goes to state parks, schools, and other causes. Most of the profits go towards education, while the rest of the proceeds are distributed to state causes.

Similarly, Virginia operates its own lottery system. The proceeds from ticket sales are split up among the state’s school fund, construction projects, and renovations. Those interested in playing the Virginia lottery can do so on its website or through an app. Several draw games are offered, as well as virtual sports and the Millionaire Raffle.

Although there are no state-wide lottery options in Alaska, Hawaii, or Mississippi, you can still find multiple draw games in these three states. You can also play scratch-offs and keno draws in these states.

Other US lotteries are run in Puerto Rico, Washington, D.C., and the US Virgin Islands. When 2021 rolls around, these jurisdictions will join the ranks of the states that offer their own lotteries.