Are Lottery Sites Legal in NC 2023? (2024)

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Online Lotto in North Carolina
LotteryLegal Since:
Cash4LifeLegal since: 2016
Mega MillionsLegal since: 2010
PowerballLegal since: 2006

Page Contents

  • Lotto Games
  • History
  • Legal Age
  • Mobile Lotto Apps
  • Upcoming Changes

At the time of writing, there is currently a legal North Carolina lottery. An online lottery is also legal in the state of North Carolina. Residents can play Mega Millions, Powerball and Lucky for Life both online and by purchasing tickets in a retailer. North Carolina also has its own state games, Carolina Pick 3, Pick 4 and Pick 5. The lottery was quite an unexpected thing as North Carolina is largely associated with the Bible Belt.

The lottery is an essential boost for our education and schools in the state.

Why You Can Trust online-gambling.com?

Are There Legal Online Lotteries Available in North Carolina?

There is currently a state lottery in North Carolina. Gambling in North Carolina was prohibited in the constitution due to staunch religious opposition. The lottery was pushed through on a day when it was known that two opposers to a lottery were not going to be available to vote, the vote was won by 1. State lotteries are popular in almost every other US state and provide invaluable financial contributions.

North Carolina does have its own online lottery, while the state is a recent taker of a state lottery they have been very quick to get an online lottery, far ahead of many other states. Residents are able to purchase tickets for Powerball, Lucky 4 Life, Mega Millions and Cash 5.

Cash4Life – $1000 Per Day or $7,000,000?

Cash4Life’s tickets are available across nine different states, but can be bought online from North Carolina residents. The lottery has been doing great since it was launched back in 2014. The first tickets were sold in New York and New Jersey with a cost unchanged until today – $2. If you’re lucky enough, you can choose between $1000 per day for the rest of your life, or just cash in on $7,000,000!

Mega Millions

Played across 44 states of North America, Mega Millions is for sure one of the most famous and preferred lotteries Similar to other lotteries, here you have to choose 5 numbers out of 70 white balls and an additional MegaBall number from 25 other balls. Aoll you need to pay is $2 and you might win the a historic jackpot, just like the winner in 2018 who cashed in on $1.537 billion.

Powerball

Participation in Powerball requires $2 per ticket and can be accessed from 21 states, including the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico and the US Virgin Islands. At least $40 million await the lucky winner which has guess 5 out of 69 available numbers plus one Powerball out of 26. It’s not that easy of a task to score it big, but three lucky winner managed to do so in 2016 when they shared a huge $1.586 billion jackpot!

Lottery Regulator in North Carolina

The lottery in North Carolina is regulated by the North Carolina Lottery Commission which supervises and administers the education lottery. The earnings from the lottery and given to education related purposes. The board is made up of 9 members.

History of North Carolina Lottery

North Carolina has historically been associated with the Bible Belt and was one of the few states that did not have any lottery. The opinion in the state was divided between whether the state should have a lottery or not. The bill was finally passed in 2005 and tickets went on sale in 2006. Since then, North Carolina has jumped ahead of the other states and not only has a lottery but also has an online lottery ticket purchase system

North Carolina Lotto History
YearEvent
1607The very first American colony is established in in Jamestown, Virginia. Gambling is brought to America with the colonies and spreads as a popular past time and source of revenue. Jamestown uses lotteries to finance their colony. Soon all 13 of the first colonies are using lotteries for income.
1830sAnti-gambling sentiment begins to grow under President Jackson. Many Evangelical Christians see the lottery as immoral and unfair to the poor. Corrupt lotteries which didn’t pay out, such as the National Lottery in 1820, contribute to this sentiment.
1890The lottery is only available to play in Kentucky, Missouri, Delaware and Louisiana. These tickets are shipped across state borders to eager players, prompting an illegal lottery trade.
1895The lottery is prohibited across America. Corruption and scandal within the lottery system has been exposed, causing widespread cynicism. Lottery tickets go unsold, resulting in a 90% loss of revenue.
2006After many years of no lottery in the state, North Carolina finally passes a bill to legalize a state lottery, with the proceeds to be set aside for education.
2010By 2010 North Carolina had introduced the Mega Millions game, they also had their own state games of Carolina Pick 3, Cash 5 and Pick 4.
2016Lucky for life game is introduced to the state.

Famous Winners – Charles W. Jackson Jr and a fortunate cookie

Charles W. Jackson Jr won a massive $344.6 million in a Powerball jackpot. Jackson said he found his winning numbers on the back of a piece of paper inside a fortune cookie given to him by his granddaughter. Jackson believed he had only won about $50,000 and was shocked when he realized the extent of the win. It looks like fortune cookie sales could be on the rise while others search for their lucky fortune numbers!

Online Lotto Legal Age in North Carolina

The legal age in North Carolina to play the lottery is 18 years old Other states have higher requirements, but the average age is set 18. In Nebraska, you have to be at least 19, whereas in Arizona, Louisiana and Iowa the requirement for players is to be at least 21 years old. In some states loto gifts to minors are acceptable, but all of them prohibit underage gambling. It is a serios crime which can either get yo ua fine or sentence you to jail for a certain period of time.

  • Lottery Age

    The legal age in North Carolina is 18.

  • Alcohol Age

    The legal drinking age is 21 in North Carolina.

  • Weed Age

    Neither recreational nor medical marijuana are legal in North Carolina, so there is no legal smoking age.

Is Online Lotto Legal When You Are Out of the State?

Online lottery in USA is legal, but most of the states haven’t legalized it. However, the eight states which have taken action are expected to grow in the future. The current situation with this gambling game is mostly due to the statement of the US Department of Justice from 2011. It was stated that the Federal Act Wire was applicable only for sports betting activities. Before this change, the act prohibited interstate gambling and online lottery wasn’t made legal until 2011. Therefore, when the legality of lotteries is concerned, states have the power to take action and decide whether the game should be made legal or not. States such as North Carolina, Delaware, Michigan, Georgia, Virginia, New Hampshire, New York, Pennsylvania and Kentucky have taken care of this and online lotteries can be safely and legally played there. Euromillions, Europe’s most famous lottery, is also legal and can be currently played in the countries of Austria, Switzerland, Spain, Belgium, Luxembourg, France, Austria, UK, Ireland, and Portugal.

The Best Lottery Mobile App

The North Carolina official website has an excellent app which allows players to take part in games, check results of games, earn rewards and prizes like second chance draws. The app is available for both Android and iOS and is hugely popular with the residents of North Carolina.

By creating an account with the NC Lottery Official Mobile App, the players are offered the chance to earn rewards and prizes for playing games. These offers involve Second Chance Draws for cash and prizes. There are also draws for holidays and other one-offs.

How to Choose the Best Lottery Promotion in North Carolina

  • 1.Are there age limits?: Make sure you are at least 18 years old
  • 2.Enter excellent lotteries!: Play for big jackpots!
  • 3.Double-check if it’s legal: See if the lottery you enter is legal!

Taxes on Lotto Winnings in North Carolina

As with most other states, North Carolina has taxes that need to be paid if a lottery win happens. If a player wins over $5,000 there will be a state tax of 5.8 percent and a federal tax of 24 percent. If someone is not a tax payer in the US they will be charged both rates on any prize greater than $600.

Upcoming Regulation Changes for Online Lottery

There is no further need for regulation changes in North Carolina, they have everything so many other states wish for, a good strong state lottery and an online lottery. The revenue generated is hugely beneficial for the state’s education and with over $1.5 billion prizes won by players in the state, everyone is coming out a winner.

Lottery Guides for Nearby States

  • South Carolina
  • Georgia
  • Virginia
  • Tennessee
Are Lottery Sites Legal in NC 2023? (2024)

FAQs

What happens if you win NC Lottery online? ›

Prizes won through Online Play may be claimed as follows: Prizes of less than $600 are automatically deposited into your account; Prizes of $600 up to and including $99,999 must be claimed online; and. Prizes of $100,000 or more must be claimed in person at NC Lottery Headquarters.

Can you play the lottery in North Carolina online? ›

Online Play allows you to purchase tickets online for Carolina Pick 3, Carolina Pick 4, Carolina Cash 5, Lucky For Life, Mega Millions, and Powerball.

Will the NC Lottery app tell me if I won? ›

Designed with you in mind, the NC Lottery Official Mobile App allows you to: Check your tickets (for draw games and/or scratch-offs) to see if you have a winner. Buy Powerball, Mega Millions, Lucky for Life, or Cash 5 tickets with Online Play and view drawing results.

Is the online lottery legal in the US? ›

Yes. Several states offer official, legal online lottery platforms, including Illinois, Michigan, Pennsylvania, Georgia, North Dakota, Kentucky, North Carolina, and New Hampshire.

Has anyone won the lottery using the online app? ›

Becker tells the I-Team the California Lottery so far hasn't had to deny someone's winnings for a ticket bought online. “Thankfully it hasn't been tested. We haven't had to make that unfortunate decision to invalidate a $1 million-plus win because of an online transaction.

Has there ever been an online lottery winner? ›

Just this past November, one lucky Dallas man became a millionaire overnight with a ticket he purchased through the app. "I work late, so it's easier to do it online," he said about trying theLotter.

Which states allow online lottery purchase? ›

Currently seven US states offer online lotteries: Georgia, Illinois, Kentucky, Michigan, New Hampshire, New Jersey and Pennsylvania.
  • Georgia: Mega Millions, Powerball, Fantasy 5, Keno.
  • Illinois: Mega Millions, Powerball,
  • Kentucky: Mega Millions, Powerball.
  • Michigan: Mega Millions, Powerball, Fantasy 5, Keno, Lotto 47.
Jul 17, 2023

Can you play Mega Millions jackpot online? ›

Can I buy Mega Millions tickets online? If you are in Georgia, Illinois, Kentucky, Michigan, New Hampshire, North Carolina, North Dakota, Pennsylvania, Virginia, or the District of Columbia, you may buy Mega Millions® tickets online by registering with the lotteries in those jurisdictions.

Can I cash a NC Lottery ticket in another state? ›

You can only cash a lottery ticket in the jurisdiction/state in which it was purchased. This includes multi-state lottery tickets such as the Powerball and the Mega Millions. Multi-state lottery tickets are actually sold by the individual state lottery commision for the state in which you buy it.

Can I remain anonymous if I win the lottery in NC? ›

M.B. Answer: Van Denton, the communications director for the N.C. Education Lottery, said that you can remain anonymous for a while after winning a major jackpot, but eventually, your identity will be made public.

How long does it take for NC Lottery to pay out? ›

Generally, the deposit should arrive in the account within 2-3 business days. For winners receiving an annuity, the first payment of the annuity will be made electronically the day the prize is claimed. The additional annuity payments will be made annually based on a schedule determined by when the prize is claimed.

Can you be discreet when you win the lottery? ›

According to the California Lottery website, disclosure laws require the lottery to publicize the winner's full name and the name and location of the business that sold the winning ticket.

Is lottery website trustworthy? ›

The easiest way to play multiple lotteries is to find an online lottery website. You want to stick to reputable platforms all the time. As long as you do that, it should be perfectly safe to play the online lottery. You can find a long list of lottery scandals and scams in the last several decades.

How to buy a lottery ticket in the US? ›

Go to a grocery or convenience store.

If lottery tickets are legal in your state, you'll generally be able to buy them at grocery stores (especially large chains), convenience stores, and gas stations.

Is it possible to win a lottery in USA? ›

The odds of winning a Powerball jackpot — no matter the size — stand near 1 in 292.2 million. Chances of taking home Mega Millions' top prize are even lower, at about 1 in 302.6 million. Because of the almost impossible chance of winning big, experts stress that you shouldn't spend all your money on lottery tickets.

Do you have to take a picture if you win the lottery in North Carolina? ›

Your name and the city you live in must be made public, but you don't have to share a picture of yourself. The name of the game you won and where you won must also be disclosed.

How much taxes does North Carolina take out of lottery winnings? ›

In North Carolina, lottery winnings are subject to a 5.45% tax rate. Whether it's a significant jackpot or a smaller prize, individuals who win the lottery in North Carolina need to account for the state tax.

How much does N.C. take out for taxes lottery winnings? ›

North Carolina will tax your lottery winnings just like all other income at a rate of 5.25%. The federal government will also tax your lottery winnings as income, but the percentage depends on your income bracket.

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