Buying Tickets On The Internet

With more and more business being done electronically these days, we’ve been getting repeated questions from folks who say they’d like to buy lottery tickets over the Internet. They wonder if one day that will be an option.

The issue of Internet gambling has been the topic of heated debate for some time now. Some of the latest developments on the matter came just this year when two members of Congress introduced legislation that would allow some forms of Internet gaming. One of the bills has been introduced by U.S. Rep. Barney Frank, D-Massachusetts, while the other is sponsored by U.S. Rep. Robert Menendez, D-New Jersey.

There are a lot of issues that rightfully would need to be addressed in any Internet gambling system, including how players’ ages would be verified, possible limits on wagering, the types of gaming that would be allowed, and the security features that would be required. 

The Internet purchase of lottery tickets is not something that is being offered in Iowa. We, along with the rest of the country, continue to monitor discussion of the issue and consider the details involved.