Images by GetTyimages. Illustrations by bankrate
I understand the appeal of lottery tickets. After all, spending just a few dollars gives you the opportunity to become millions. Unfortunately, a dream of a dollar sign might cloud the fact that you have a very low chance of hitting a major jackpot. Powerball players have one chance in every 292.2 million people who hit the jackpot, but the chances of hitting the Mega Millions jackpot are about one in every 290.4 million people.
In addition to the long odds, you may be restricted to certain payment methods when purchasing the lottery. Here are some things you need to know about the state rules and the drawbacks of charging your Lotto with plastic before you try to buy a lottery ticket with a credit card.
Can I buy lottery tickets with a credit card?
You may be able to purchase the lottery with a credit or debit card, but this depends on your location.
Currently, there are 21 states that prohibit credit cards and buy lottery tickets. This helps prevent people from gambling with money they don’t have in their account. Additionally, there are five states that do not have a state lottery and do not participate in multiple state lottery tickets. This leaves 24 states where you can purchase lottery tickets with your credit card.
Which states allow you to purchase lottery tickets with a credit card?
Do you want to use your credit card to play the lottery? Here’s how states handle lottery purchases:
State where you can purchase lottery tickets with a credit card
- Arizona
- California
- Delaware
- Florida
- Idaho
- Illinois
- Indiana
- Kansas
- Kentucky
- Louisiana
- main
- Michigan
- Mississippi
- Missouri
- Nebraska
- new york
- Ohio
- Oregon
- Pennsylvania
- Rhode Island
- South Dakota
- Vermont
- Washington
- West Virginia
Also, these states do not prohibit you from purchasing lottery tickets with credit cards, but individual merchants are usually allowed to decide whether to accept credit card payments for lottery tickets.
No credit card is allowed to purchase lottery tickets
- Arkansa
- Colorado
- Connecticut
- Georgia
- Iowa
- Maryland
- Massachusetts
- Minnesota
- Montana
- New Hampshire
- New Jersey
- New Mexico
- North Carolina
- North Dakota
- Oklahora
- South Carolina
- Tennessee
- Texas
- Virginia
- Wisconsin
- Wyoming
State or multiple states with no lottery
- Alabama
- Alaska (charity games allowed, no credit card purchases)
- Hawaii
- Nevada
- Yuta
Why avoid buying lottery tickets with credit cards?
Even if state law allows for credit card to purchase lottery tickets, that may not be a good idea. Below are a few reasons to consider putting your card in your wallet and buying lottery tickets with cash instead.
Conclusion
Some states allow you to pay lottery tickets using your credit card, but it’s not always wise. Relying on a credit card to buy a lottery ticket can be at risk and usually does not have the advantages associated with most credit card transactions.
Before purchasing lottery tickets with a credit card, make sure this is permitted in your state. You also need to pay attention to additional fees and interest rates. Most importantly, make sure you don’t use your credit card to feed your gambling problems and you can repay your credit card balance each month.
