2 Top Lottery Sites

How to buy lottery tickets safely

Official lotteries are run or licensed by a government body. Tickets are sold through authorized retailers and, in some places, official websites or apps. Other businesses may offer to buy tickets for you or sell bets on lottery results; they work under different rules.

• Use official channels. Buy from authorized retailers or the lottery's own site or app where online sales are allowed.
• Age limits. The minimum age is set by each lottery, often 18 and higher in some places.
• Claim deadlines. Each game has a deadline to claim prizes. It is printed in the game rules and often on the ticket.
• Taxes. Large prizes may be taxed or have tax withheld, depending on where you live.

Lottery scams to watch for

The most common lottery scam is a message saying you won a lottery you never entered, followed by a request for a fee, tax payment or bank details to release the prize. Real lotteries do not charge winners to collect a prize, and you cannot win a draw you did not enter.

Reviews of official lotteries often focus on app problems, slow prize payments by mail, and unclear rules. Keep your ticket safe and photograph both sides.

CandorRated company pages show who runs each website, how long the domain has existed and the contact details found, which helps confirm you are on an official site. Play within a set budget.

Frequently asked questions

Can I buy tickets for a lottery in another country?

Many lotteries only sell to people physically in their area. Services offering foreign tickets may not be authorized by that lottery.

How do I check if my ticket won?

Use the official lottery website, app or an authorized retailer's ticket checker.