There are various ways to play the lottery namely traditional or online lottery games.
Traditional Lottery Games
Lottery Games are played throughout the world often country or region-specific. Traditional Lottery Games are played in stores displaying “Lottery Tickets Sold Here” or “Play the Lottery Here” signs. These stores have terminals dedicated to the sale of lottery tickets.
The terminal will usually be equipped with the following:
- A stack of blank lottery slips for each lottery game on offer,
- pens or pencils for players to scratch out their chosen numbers,
- a flat surface whereon the player can place their lottery slip to comfortably scratch out their chosen numbers,
- as well as a lottery ticket scanner for scanning the lottery slip and a printer for printing out an authentic official lottery ticket, based on the slip that the player entered.
How to play the lottery traditionally
Lottery tickets vary slightly from one game to another and the rules and regulations are most often found on the reverse side of the lottery slip.
The lottery slip is made up of a number of identical sections, each section representing a new ticket entry.
For a player to play the lottery, he or she needs to select the required amount of numbers, by scratching out these numbers from the numbers available on the lottery slip. Usually, numbers 1 – 59 are represented for selection. However, sometimes there are additional numbers that make up the bonus section of a lottery game.
Variations of traditional Lottery Tickets
Quick Picks or Lucky Dips offer the player a selection of randomly generated numbers from the Lottery Printer Machine which automatically prints a ticket, without the player having to select their own numbers.
Bonus Balls and Lucky Numbers offer the players and additional prize brackets to be included in should their numbers match those drawn for the Bonus Ball or Lucky Number. These entries sometimes render the ticket slightly more expensive.
Traditional Lottery Results
Results for traditional lottery games are often aired on live television and are also available in print media and at the store or terminal where the ticket was purchased.
It is just as easy to play the lottery online or on a mobile application.
Online Lottery Platforms
There are a host of online supplier portals available to play the lottery remotely. These portals are often linked directly to the various lottery suppliers. Many of the online portals offer tickets to lotteries in various countries or jurisdictions around the world.
Some banks and supermarket chains also offer clients/customers the facility to play the lottery online.
How to Play the Lottery Online
The steps to playing the lottery online are as follows:
- Simply select the portal on which you want to play, (Be sure that the portal is on a reputable platform)
- create an account by adding your personal details
- add some funds to your account, usually by credit card, direct payment or alternative payment methods such as Netteller, Skrill or Jeton Wallet. More recently cryptocurrency has also become an available method of payment.
Play the Lottery Online
Log in to your chosen platform or application. Select the game you wish to play, mark the numbers and submit the ticket. If you are in a rush or would prefer, then you should choose a “quick pick” and submit it. The system will confirm your numbers and ticket purchase and you will receive a receipt of purchase to your account as well as a scanned copy of your official ticket.
Variations of Online Lottery Games
Some online lottery game variations include the purchase of insured tickets or the option to bet on the outcome of a lottery game. Scratch Cards are also available online for instant gratification and prizes.
Online Lottery Results
Online lottery results are either delivered to you via email or into your account, and they are often available on the portal website as well.
When you play the lottery, either traditionally or online, the draw is either daily or weekly. There are some exceptions, such as the Al Gordo, which is drawn annually and Scratch Card Games where the results are instant.