There are official lottery games in 44 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, and the Virgin Islands. The Wyoming lottery began operations in July 2013 but tickets weren’t sold for about a year. Now that the lottery is open, players from all over the world can purchase tickets and try to win millions of dollars.

Hawaii’s government isn’t very interested in a state lottery, though. Many Hawaiians spend money at gambling establishments in Las Vegas, but an official lottery in the state could keep it in the state, while bringing in extra revenue. However, some lawmakers are concerned that legalized gambling could attract the wrong kind of people. In addition, Hawaii wants to maintain a clean reputation.

The best way to buy an official lottery ticket is to purchase it through an official lottery agent. These agents are licensed and regulated, and are also available online. These agents purchase and scan official lottery tickets for their customers. This way, customers can be sure that they are participating in an official lottery draw and not merely a fake.

In addition to national games, state lotteries also have local versions of games. For example, in Indiana, the Hoosier Lottery offers Mega Millions, Powerball, and Cash4Life. A portion of the profits from the Hoosier Lottery goes to the state’s pension funds. In Iowa, the Multi-State Lottery Association oversees the Iowa Lottery. The Iowa Lottery offers Lotto America and Lucky for Life. Profits from the Iowa Lottery go to various state programs and the Common School Fund.