Kentucky is one of just a few states offering legal online lottery ticket sales, but the US online lottery numbers are increasing.
Learn more about Kentucky’s legal online lottery, the games you can play, and answers to commonly asked questions about playing the Kentucky Lottery online.
What games can I play on KY Lottery online?
There are two types of lottery games available online in Kentucky. These include:
- Draw games
- Instants online
Draw games
The Kentucky Lottery started online sales of draw games in April 2016. At launch, the games included:
- Powerball
- Mega Millions
- KY Cash Ball
The Lucky for Life draw game has since been added, offering a top prize of $1,000 a day for life. KY Cash Ball has been renamed Kentucky Cash Ball 225 and features a $225,000 top prize.
Powerball remains one of the most popular lottery games in any state online or off. The multi-state draw game is offered in 44 states, Washington, D.C., US Virgin Islands, and Puerto Rico.
Jackpots start at $40 million. Tickets are just $2 each. Drawings are Wednesday and Saturday nights. Powerball is known for its massive jackpots. The largest ever recorded was $1.6 billion.
Instants online
Many of the Kentucky Lottery instants online are electronic versions of the same scratch-off games available at more than 3,200 Kentucky Lottery retailers.
Online, the games feature a graphic interface rather than a scratch-off ticket. However, the game is the same. The object is to match prize amounts or specific symbols leading to a prize.
There are currently 34 instants online available in Kentucky, ranging in price from $0.50 to $5. However, more are being added and titles are changed regularly.
Some of the most popular instants online in Kentucky include:
- Dazzling Diamonds
- Silver Stars
- Astro Cash
- Match 4
- Super Cash Spectacular
- Crossword
- Lightning Keno
Can I play any online casino games?
Not with the Lottery. However, you can find plenty of games to play with social casino apps and sweepstakes casinos. Recommended options include High 5, Chumba Casino, Funzpoints, and Hello Millions.
These sites, which are free to play, offer a tremendous amount of variety for slots, blackjack, roulette, and even live dealer games. You can also get your hands on cash prizes if a game goes your way.
Are there Kentucky Lottery promos?
When you sign up for an account with the Kentucky Lottery online, you can can take advantage of certain special promotional offers.
Joining the Kentucky Lottery Fun Club allows you to enter eligible non-winning tickets into second-chance drawings, and receive the latest news, coupons, and information by email and text alerts.
Fun Club members can also log in to purchase tickets and and play draw games and instant play games directly on the Kentucky Lottery website.
All of the promotions on the Kentucky Lottery website surround second-chance drawings for purchased tickets.
How to sign up for the Kentucky Lottery online
Signing up for an account with the Kentucky Lottery website allows players to play draw games and instants online whenever they want.
Players must be 18 years or older, have a valid Kentucky address, and be within Kentucky state borders in order to play online. After that, enter your email address and password, load up your wallet using your credit or debit card, or by purchasing an iGift or iFunds from a licensed retailer, and you’ll be ready to play.
Players can also view past purchases and winnings history with their online account.
Signing up is a safe and secure process, and it can be done using any kind of computer, tablet, or smartphone.
How to make a deposit online
Once you have signed up for an account with the Kentucky Lottery you can deposit funds securely using one of three methods:
- Major credit cards
- Debit cards
- iGift or iFunds from a licensed retailer
The iGift and iFunds cards are available at all 3,200 Kentucky Lottery retailers across the state. The cards allow players to make online deposits without using a credit or debit card.
The deposit process is simple. In fact, you just sign into your account on the Kentucky Lottery website and click the “Deposit” tab. Next, “Choose Payment Method” and enter your card or transfer information.
Within minutes you should be ready to play games online.
What happens if I win?
Any win up to $600 is automatically deposited into your Kentucky Lottery account. However, there is a $5,000 limit of funds in any account. If a win pushes you over, a check for the remainder will be mailed to you.
Prizes of more than $600 up to and including $49,999 may be claimed online or claimed in person at a Kentucky Lottery Corporation Regional Office or at the KLC headquarters.
Prizes of more than $49,999 must be claimed in person only at KLC headquarters.
Kentucky online lottery and the law
In December 2011, the US Department of Justice released a legal opinion on the Wire Act concluding that anything outside of sports betting events falls outside the act’s reach. This gave state’s notice that sales of lottery tickets on the internet were legal.
In the spring of 2013, the KLC Board of Directors directed staff to pursue two new sources of revenue. This included Keno and online ticket sales.
Keno sales began in November 2013. It took an additional three years to develop the state’s online ticketing system. The Kentucky Lottery Corporation worked with longtime Kentucky Lottery vendor, IGT, to develop the system. It finally launched in April 2016.
Who oversees the Kentucky online lottery?
The Kentucky Lottery Corporation governs lottery games in the state. Mark F. Sommer is chair of the KLC Board of Directors. Tom Delacenserie is president and CEO.
Are the KY online lottery games fair?
The Kentucky Lottery Corporation provides oversight for all lottery games. Delacenserie is responsible for the overall management and operation of the Lottery, including assuring the accountability and integrity of the organization.
How can I protect my account?
All Kentucky Lottery accounts are password protected. Users should protect the password the same way they do with all their online accounts.
The Kentucky Lottery also has a number of safeguards in place for the protection of players and their information.
Benefits of the online lottery for Kentucky
The Kentucky Lottery reported ticket sales hit more than $1 billion for its 2016-2017 fiscal year ending June 30, 2017. It was the highest annual sales ever.
The dividend returned to the state treasury by the lottery was also a record. It was just over $251.6 million.
The Kentucky Lottery has earned more than $4.8 billion for the commonwealth since 1989. Dividends pay for college scholarships, grants, and literacy programs.
Do online lottery sales take away from regular lottery sales?
No. In fact, Kentucky Lottery sales reached a record $1 billion for the first fiscal year featuring online ticket sales. The overwhelming majority of the sales still occur at one of 3,200 Kentucky Lottery retailers throughout the state.