Safest ways to play the lottery
Sorted by player protection only. Top scorers verify age, let you cap spending, offer self-exclusion, and answer to a state regulator. Treat anything that scores under 5 here with care, whatever its jackpot.
Sorted by the player protection criterion · how we score
- 1State lottery
Michigan Lottery
First lottery with NCPG Internet Compliance Assessment Program certification (2015); invests $2 million a year in problem-gambling programs.
Best for: Michigan players who want to buy draw games and instants online with safeguards.
Player protection: 9/107.4 - 2State lottery
Pennsylvania Lottery
PA iLottery offers an opt-out list, cool-off periods and spend, loss, time and deposit budgets (help.pailottery.com).
Best for: Pennsylvania residents who want to buy tickets online with built-in spending limits.
Player protection: 9/107.4 - 3State lottery
Massachusetts Lottery
Online play needs age and identity verification with a Social Security number check, deposit and betting limits, session timers, cool-off periods of 24 hours to 6 months, and voluntary self-exclusion of one, three or five years or for life. NASPL/NCPG Verified status was earned in 2021.
Best for: Massachusetts adults who want in-state draw games, online play and strong responsible-gaming tools.
Player protection: 9/107.3 - 4Instant games
Michigan Lottery Online
First lottery with NCPG Internet Compliance Assessment Program certification (since 2015) and online safeguards and tools; 18+ required.
Best for: Michigan players who want a big online game selection from a certified state lottery.
Player protection: 9/107.1 - 5Instant games
PA iLottery
Account tools include an opt-out list, cool-off, and deposit, loss and time budgets (help.pailottery.com), plus age 18+.
Best for: Pennsylvania residents who want online instants and draws with built-in spending limits.
Player protection: 9/107.0 - 6Instant games
Virginia Lottery Online
State-run with an online wallet and a legal anonymity right effective 1 July 2026; limit-setting tools were not verified.
Best for: Virginia players who want anonymity rights and a full online catalogue from a state lottery.
Player protection: 8/106.9 - 7Sweepstakes
Giving Back Raffle (Ronald McDonald House Charities of San Diego)
Registered with the California AG (R-4009), 18+ rule, independent auditor supervision and clear tax non-deductibility statement.
Best for: California adults happy to treat a $150 ticket as a gift to RMHC with a chance at a large prize.
Player protection: 8/106.7 - 8Sweepstakes
Mile High Raffle (Boys & Girls Clubs of Metro Denver)
Licensed under Bingo-Raffles License #2026-20817, 18+ rule, Colorado-location requirement and certified games manager supervision.
Best for: Colorado adults who treat a $50 ticket as a gift to Boys & Girls Clubs with a chance to win.
Player protection: 8/106.5 - 9Sweepstakes
Coca-Cola America 250 Drink in Adventure Sweepstakes
No purchase necessary with a mail-in alternative and an 18+ age rule, but no NY/FL registration statement appears and tax is left to the winner.
Best for: Adults 18+ who want a free daily entry for a large vehicle credit or a trip prize pool.
Player protection: 7/107.3 - 10State lottery
CT Lottery
Run by a state corporation with an iLottery; responsible-play tools were not verified on the pages reviewed.
Best for: Connecticut players who like online draw games and Keno.
Player protection: 7/106.8
How we rate. Scored on a published six-criterion rubric. Every figure links to an official source and shows the date it was checked. We sell nothing. Methodology