In Ohio, there is a large availability of various lotto games from brick-and-mortar retailers, but what about online lotto? Some operators in the state are authorized to offer specific options that can allow you to purchase lotto tickets online. Hence, online lotto may not be far behind in Ohio. Check this guide to learn more about the online lottery situation in this state.

Jessica Whitehouse, Editor at online-gambling.com

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Jessica Whitehouse is among the professional online-gambling.com editors in charge of ensuring that our readers get the best and most reliable news and details from the online gambling world. Her focus is on blackjack and roulette reviews, lottery, and more.

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Legal Online Lotteries Available in the USA

Currently, online lottery providers are available in Ohio. This means that residents and non-residents can enjoy playing the lottery and purchase lottery tickets online.

This is possible via third-party platforms. Interestingly, these operators will have someone who goes to the retailer and buys tickets on your behalf. Then, the tickets are scanned and kept in your online account. Later, if the ticket wins, you can claim your rewards.

This option is appreciated by many players in the state, and the popularity of online operators that offer lottos grows. This allows state residents to purchase lotto tickets online and enjoy some of the best lotteries in the US.

US Powerball

Powerball is one of the most famous lotteries in the States. It is played in more than twenty states all over the USA. Launched in 1992 for the first time, it fastly grew into one of the most rewarding lottos. The draws are twice a week and there is a minimum payout of $40 million. The biggest jackpot ever won was 1.586 billion dollars.

Mega Millions

The game was launched as ‘The Big Game’ in the end of the previous century. It is among the most widely played lotteries all over the world and, of course, in the US. It is available in 44 states, the District of Columbia and the Virgin Islands as well. The draws are held every Tuesday and Friday. The minimum jackpot is 40 million dollars and the biggest amount ever won is more than 1 billion and a half.

Lucky for Life

Lucky for Life was launched in 2009, in Connecticut. It expanded to New England but later it got so popular that it was adopted in 26 other jurisdictions. A payout of $1,000 per day for a lifetime is granted to the winner, although you can choose to take a cash prize directly. In 2015, a player chose it and took more than five million dollars.

Lottery Regulator in Ohio

Ohio has appointed a lottery commission, with eight members and a chairman, to oversee its lottery system. When the lotto was established in the Ohio Constitution, Article XV, Section 6, it granted the agency the right to conduct lottos that would support various education programs in the state, and those funds are now transferred to the Lottery Profits for Education Fund. In 2018, $1.087 million was transferred to the fund.

History of Lottery in Ohio

Gambling of all forms in Ohio have always been a mixed bag. Early prohibition era laws prohibited lottos and other forms of gambling, and that stronghold did not ease its grip until fairly recently. Lottery was one of the earlier legal games to come to the state, with its first draws starting in 1974 after a successful campaign by Sen. Ron Mottl the previous year. It has performed well since then, earning millions for its Education Fund. So far, no major moves have been made to legalize online lotto, but recent changes surrounding the Federal Wire Act could potentially bring this on in the future.

In states with long-running lotteries, it’s only logical that some people not only strike it big once — but several times! Meet Rickey Meng, the Ohioan who has won more often than anyone else in the state. As of 2017, the Cleveland resident had won 342 tickets, adding up to nearly $1 million. Ohio has had many so-called “frequent winners” — maybe there’s something in the water!

Online Lotto Legal Age in Ohio

Operators in the state that are authorized to offer online lotto must meet strict safety requirements and can not accept players who don’t have the minimum gambling age. Officially you must be at least 18 years old to bet in some other states and this is the same in Ohio. We will be waiting for any changes in the legislation and we will inform you immediately is such occur.

• Lottery Age
  In Ohio, you must be at least 18 to play lotto.
• Alcohol Age
  The legal drinking age is 21 in Ohio.
• Weed Age
  There is no legal recreational cannabis age in Ohio as it is currently illegal.

Is Online Lotto Legal When You Are Out of the State?

Other states in the US have recently legalized almost all forms of online gambling activities. Therefore, online lotto is available in some states. If you visit those states, you can legally play lotto online. These states include Georgia, Illinois, Kentucky, Michigan, New Hampshire, New Jersey and Pennsylvania.

Nevertheless, the popularity of third-party operators in Ohio is growing. Currently, there are several major retailers that are allowed by the state authorities to accept players who want to buy lotto tickets online. The operator will have someone purchase the tickets from the retailers, and the ticket will be scanned. Thus, you will have a valid lotto ticket, and if it wins, you will be able to withdraw your winnings from your account.

The Best Lottery Mobile App

Mobile gambling is extremely fun, and it’s exciting that the online lottery in Ohio is currently available. Some top-ranked authorized third-party operators may have different apps or websites that are perfectly compatible with mobile devices running on Android and iOS. However, you may not be able to buy tickets online via the apps. You need to check the specific services of operators allowed to operate in Ohio. Other states, though, can also give you the chance to try your luck online. You can check the possibilities that you might have in Delaware lotto betting, for example.

Online Lottery Promotions to Take Advantage Of

Since third-party operators are allowed to operate in Ohio and offer the option to purchase tickets online, players may have the chance to benefit from different promotions. These promotions can include free tickets or other perks, but it all depends on the specific services the operator can offer in a given state. If you want to read about the overall situation, you can check our guide about Ohio gambling.

Taxes on Lotto Winnings in Ohio

If you are a lotto fan and you want to play in Ohio, then you need to know some specific details related to taxation. Lottery winnings that exceed $600 in Ohio are taxed as income. What else you need to know is that you will have to pay 24% in federal taxes as well as 4% in state taxes. We will keep you up to date in case some new laws or information appear. Plus, you can check the Ohio Department of Taxation and get details from there.

Upcoming Regulation Changes for Online Lottery

Online gambling in the United States is currently enduring dramatic changes. Many states have legalized some forms of online gambling activities, so Ohio may soon follow suit. At this moment, it is good news that residents from the Buckeye State can use the services of authorized third-party operators.

They offer them the option to enjoy lotto games by purchasing tickets online. Make sure you choose legitimate sites when buying online lotto tickets. For example, if you want to play PA lottery online, choose a PGCB-licensed site. Your safety should always be your number one priority.

Lottery Guides for Nearby States

• Michigan
• Pennsylvania
• West Virginia
• Indiana