Online Lottery Usa Legal

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Increasing numbers of states are moving to online sales of lottery tickets. It was long believed that the Federal Wire Act made it illegal to sell lottery tickets online, but as states come under increasing financial stress despite ever-increasing taxes, lawmakers are under tremendous pressure to raise revenue without raising taxes. Local messenger services around the world are employed by a handful of certified and legally licensed online lottery retail outlets, and our lottery site reviews have uncovered those legitimate online lottery sites where you can purchase tickets, sign up for multi-draw subscriptions, join syndicates to improve your purchasing power, and access over 100 statewide, nationwide and worldwide lotteries without. 1934 – The first legal lottery in modern US history appears, not in a state, but in Puerto Rico. 1964 – The first legal lottery on the US mainland appears, in New Hampshire. 1987 – With the addition of Kansas, Montana, South Dakota and Virginia this year, half of all US states have a lottery.

Nobody can the deny the fact the online lottery is rather popular all around the world. The majority of people have access to the online lottery, but there are players located in certain territories that cannot play the lottery. These players can’t play the lottery locally, nor they can play it online, because their national authorities have banned it.

Before I give you the ultimate list of countries where online lottery is restricted, I’m going to talk about why governments decide to ban lottery in general, and why the online lottery gets banned in specific. Note, do not worry, the countries where the lottery is banned by default are only a handful. On a side note, I’m also going to provide you with information, what countries do not have access to the most popular US and EU lotteries.

I’m sure you’ve been waiting for something like this for a long time.

No Two Countries Are the Same – Tailor Made Legislation

I’m not sure if you’re familiar with this, but the basis for official guidelines, legislation are usually the needs of the citizens. Lottery in general is perceived as gambling, that’s why many governments like to protect their citizens by imposing restrictions. However, this is wrong on so many levels. There’s something called self control, there are agencies who help people with gambling issues, and most importantly, there will always be players who get away with it. So, in my opinion, it’s better to legalize it and tax the player.

So, we can consider the ban on lottery as a measure to protect people who lack self-control. Now, to get back on the heading, no two nations are the same. Some have a tendency to be responsible, others like to go to the extremes. Don’t get me wrong, but there’s some truth in this. As a rule of thumb, I repeat, in my experience, countries where online lottery and lottery in general are legal, are doing pretty good. Just saying.

Religion, Local Culture and Tradition Play a Major Role

Other factors that greatly influence how the legislation is shaped are the population’s religion, the local culture and any customs, traditions that stand out. Almost by default, note “almost”, countries where Islam is the predominant religion, all forms of gambling are restricted. Now, since lottery is considered gambling in these regions, the lottery is straight out banned.

Many individuals from these regions are eager to play the lottery online, compete for the much desired US lottery jackpots, but they cannot. If, say, they’re caught playing the lottery, they’re severely punished, charged being gamblers. You don’t want to be located there, don’t you? No lottery player does.

Lastly, considering the current situation, it seems like the laws will never change. There are no signs, no indicators that point to the other direction. A legalization of the lottery at the very least will mean an influx of millions of new lottery players.

The Political System Keeps Online Players at Bay

This the opposite of what I just mentioned. Instead of the government restricting its players to play the online lottery, or any lottery in general, this time around, the lottery operator is not in a position to pay out any winnings to the lottery winners in these countries. If the operator does so, it will become a subject of criminal charges. A good example is a dictatorship, the likes of North Korea for instance.

As you can see, it’s not always your government’s fault, it can be somebody else’s government’s fault. It’s safe to say, the government is always the bad guy. It’s highly unlikely that you’re located in a country of this kind, mainly due to the fact that even the internet is not easily available.

Nonetheless, countries of this nature deserve to be put in their very own category. I want to be clear on this kind of things.

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Last Point of the Day – If There’s a National Lottery, Be Cautious

Because many of the laws are old, outdated, even the government is not willing to enforce them, unless there’s a party that has an interest in it. For example, if there’s a national lottery, and it has had major success in the past, you should be careful. The national lottery operator is the party who has an interest in this matter, and it can, and it will lobby to have all online lottery players penalized for playing foreign lotteries. Now, this is very rare, because it costs a lot of money to track down a handful of lottery players.

Nonetheless, if you are forced to keep playing the lottery online in this gray area, at least don’t get caught. I cannot provide you with any advice on this matter, because that will make me an accomplice in a criminal activity. I’m deeply sorry.

List of Countries Where Online Lottery Is Illegal

These are the countries where gambling activities are closely monitored, alongside lottery. This list goes across all of the aforementioned types. Here it is:

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  • Belarus (prosecuted)
  • Cyprus (prosecuted)
  • Czech Republic (other forms, the lottery is legal)
  • Poland
  • Switzerland
  • Bahamas
  • Cuba
  • Turkey (other forms, prosecuted, the lottery is legal)
  • Brazil
  • South Africa
  • Saudi Arabia (all forms)
  • Qatar (all forms)
  • Iran (all forms)
  • Iraq (all forms)
  • Syria (all forms)
  • India (some states)
  • Indonesia (all forms)

List of Countries that Require an Operator License

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This is a list of countries where the operator must obtain a local license in order to sell lottery tickets to the local population. In my opinion, this list is rather long, but I highly suspect that all online lottery operators have obtained the necessary licenses. For what it’s worth, the online lottery community acts as an isolated system, and so far, I’ve seen only a few examples where lottery winners were unable to claim their winnings due to legislation.

  • Albania
  • Austria
  • Belgium
  • Bulgaria
  • Channel Islands
  • Czech Republic
  • Georgia
  • Germany
  • Iceland
  • Ireland
  • Isle of Man
  • Italy
  • Latvia
  • Lithuania
  • Luxembourg
  • Malta
  • Montenegro
  • Romania
  • San Marino
  • Spain
  • United Kingdom
  • Bermuda
  • Canada
  • Mexico
  • US Virgin Islands
  • Australia
  • USA

Most Activities in the Online Lottery World are in the Gray Area

When all is considered, most of the official activities are put in the gray area. Due to the complexity of the matter, nobody wants to unfold the file of problems. The USA’s rigid framework seems to do a good job, in spite of the arguments that I have against it.

Europeans on the other hand, with their principle based approach to legislation have left lottery out in the open. This applies to both the lottery and the online lottery. I cannot stress the importance of having a clear framework. Both the lottery players and the lottery players will benefit from it. Winners and players won’t be prosecuted, whereas lottery operators will be able to freely market their services and products. Maybe, I say maybe, this will all be true in the foreseeable future. For the time being, we can enjoy the lottery as it is, stay quiet and claim any prizes in any way possible.

US Lotteries – Digging Deeper…

After receiving so much conflicting information regarding playing online lottery games like US Powerball and Mega Millions, it was time we took a serious look at what are the rules and regulations are for people residing outside the United States of America. The size of these jackpots is attracting attention, and serious lottery players want to know whether their play will be legal.

The Bottom Line on US Lotteries

It was concluded in an opinion by VIRGINIA A. SEITZ, United States Assistant Attorney General about the states of New York and New Jersey, that lotteries do not form a part of the Wire Act which is the primary federal legislation governing interstate transactions.

The amendment to the Wire Act was a result of the growing use of the Internet. Though initially introduced in 2009, it was on the 20th of September 2011, when Seitz wrote a 13-page legal opinion that said “nothing in the materials supplied by the Criminal Division suggests that the New York or Illinois lottery plans involve sports wagering, rather than garden-variety lotteries. Accordingly, we conclude that the proposed lotteries are not within the prohibition of the Wire Act.” In other words, the US federal government conceded the Wire Act only applied to sports betting.

This affects the concept of interstate purchasing of lottery tickets. There is no question that US citizens cannot play lotteries online internationally, but people are allowed to play lotteries online outside the US for games in the US. Some of the US states do have specific rules that prohibit foreigners from playing lotteries in their state, but it is clear where foreigners are welcome!

Can Foreigners Play US Lotteries?

Online Lottery Usa Legal

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The California Lottery site is very specific and says “It is not necessary to be a California resident, nor a US citizen to play and win any of the California Lottery‘s games, but a player does have to travel there to collect any big jackpot. Most good concierge services will help facilitate this.

In speaking to the Georgia State Lottery, they confirmed that a player would not have to be a resident but would have to fly down to Georgia to physically pick up their big jackpot if a player won US Powerball or Mega Millions. Oh – and they would have to pay the 30% Federal tax. Technically, players are supposed to buy the tickets themselves, but when I discussed getting a friend to do it for me, they assured me that was not an issue. Just to make sure that I either trusted the friend to hold my ticket for me or send it to me immediately (before the draw!).

The Texas State Lottery also confirmed no worries – come get your money! Funny, they also confirmed that this could be processed from outside of Texas with the proper form completed and identification provided. Forget that – if I won the big jackpot, I’d be on a plane to get my money!

Getting Technical on Tax

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In a legal opinion by Martha L. Arias, Immigration and Internet Law Attorney, Miami, IBLS Director, she commented on the income tax implications of Israel residents who might win a lottery in the US. It was clarified that they can receive either their lump sum or annuity, but must pay federal tax applicable to foreigners (30%).

Stay Tuned to This Channel

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Keep in mind folks that this is evolving legislation, but for now, I have talked to enough people and received information in writing that as long as you use an online lottery concierge that you trust, they will walk you through the correct legal process to claim your big jackpot!

What States Sell Lottery Online

Many of the FAQs and Terms & Conditions online are slightly out of date and do not reflect the current rules and regulations. Happily, I feel much more confident in giving US lotteries a serious thumbs up as well as our approved concierge lottery services.

That is the point – using a concierge lottery service that you trust and that will provide you with the necessary information to collect your jackpot.