Summary
In Missouri, the only way to purchase official lottery tickets is in person at retail locations. While there are some third party lottery ticket purchasing services, these are either illegal or extremely limited. So for the majority of lottery games, you cannot purchase tickets online in Missouri.
Retail locations
The Missouri Lottery operates draw games such as Powerball and Mega Millions as well as Scratchers and other instant win games. To purchase tickets for these games, you need to go to an authorized retailer in person. There are over 4,500 retailers in the state including gas stations, grocery stores, convenience stores, and other businesses. When you go to one of these locations, you can choose the draw or Scratchers games you want and pay for your ticket at the checkout. The retailer will print out or provide you with a physical ticket that you need to claim any prizes.
This is the only way to buy official Missouri Lottery tickets – there is no option to purchase them online through the Lottery’s website or mobile app. The Lottery does this to ensure the integrity of the games and make sure the people buying and claiming prizes are doing so legitimately. Requiring in-person purchases allows them to confirm players’ identities and ages. So if you want Powerball, Mega Millions, or Missouri Scratchers tickets, you have to visit a store in MO to get them.
Advantages of retail locations
- Can purchase official Missouri Lottery tickets in person
- Wide availability with over 4,500 retailers statewide
- Retailers can confirm your age/eligibility to play
- Get physical ticket to redeem prizes
Disadvantages of retail locations
- Must go to the store in person each time
- Limited to store hours
- May need to wait in line during busy times
- Must be in Missouri to purchase tickets
Online Lottery Websites
There are some online lottery ticket purchasing services that operate in a legal gray area in Missouri. These third party websites allow you to buy tickets for games like Powerball and Mega Millions online. However, they operate differently than the official state lottery.
These services don’t actually sell you an official ticket. Instead, they have local agents buy tickets on your behalf from retail locations. So you place your lottery order online, and the website’s agent uses your money to purchase a ticket which is registered in their name. If you win any prize, it also goes to the agent initially, who is responsible for paying out your winnings minus a processing fee.
There are conflicting opinions on the legality of these online services in Missouri. The state lottery maintains that online sales are not authorized or regulated in any way. However, the websites believe they are operating legally by using local agents to facilitate ticket purchases. There have not been definitive legal rulings either way in MO.
Online Lottery Websites in Missouri
Some online lottery services that have operated in Missouri include:
- Lotto Agent – Charges a transaction fee per ticket to have local agents purchase on your behalf
- Lottery Master – Also uses agents to buy tickets in person after you order online
- Lotto Send – Purchase made by agents, winnings delivered to you minus commissions
Advantages of Online Services
- Convenience of purchasing lottery tickets online
- Usually lower fees than going to retail store
- Can play from anywhere (don’t have to be in MO)
Disadvantages of Online Services
- Tickets are not in your name
- Winnings go to the agent first
- Legality is questionable
- Limited to major draw games like Powerball
- Cannot get Scratchers or other MO exclusive games
Purchasing Scratchers Online
While there are some ways to buy Powerball and MegaMillions tickets online in Missouri, there is no legal way to purchase Scratchers games online. Scratchers can only be purchased in person at authorized Missouri Lottery retailers. The lottery does not offer any method of ordering or playing Scratchers games on the internet.
Even the third party online lottery ticket services do not provide any way to get Scratchers digitally. This is because the physical scratch-off cards are an integral part of these instant win games. Players need the printed tickets to scratch the latex coating and reveal prizes. The lottery also argues that Scratchers have higher risk of being used illegally when not purchased in person.
There are entertainment sites that offer scratch card games you can play online for free. But these are just slot machine style games and do not have the same prizes or odds. They are not affiliated with the official Missouri scratch off games in any way. The only way to have a chance at real Missouri Scratchers prizes is to buy physical scratch-off tickets at local retailers.
Why Scratchers Cannot Be Purchased Online
- Need physical card to scratch off coating
- In person purchase limits fraud risk
- Important source of income for small retailers in MO
- Online games differ substantially and are just for entertainment
Future Possibility of Online Lottery Sales
While most states prohibit online lottery sales, there is an ongoing debate about expanding sales to the internet in the future. A few states, including Michigan and New Hampshire, now allow certain lottery games to be purchased online. Proponents argue that it provides convenience to players and can generate additional revenue for the state.
However, online lottery sales also have drawbacks. It may hurt existing retailers that rely on in-person ticket sales. There are also concerns about making gambling even more accessible. And ensuring ticket security and preventing fraud presents challenges.
In Missouri, lawmakers have considered bills to authorize online lottery ticket sales for draw games. But these have faced opposition and not passed into law. The lottery also seems reluctant to move in this direction yet. However, as more states explore expanding online, the possibility remains open down the road if legislators and the Lottery Commission decide the pros outweigh the cons for Missouri.
For now, those hoping to play the Missouri Lottery will need to continue buying tickets at local retailers. But the convenience of purchasing tickets on the internet may become an option at some point if the regulatory landscape shifts.
Potential Benefits of Online Lottery Sales
- Convenience for players to order from home
- Access for out-of-state players
- Higher ticket sales and revenue
- Lower barriers to play lottery
- Modernize state lotteries
Potential Drawbacks of Online Sales
- Cannibalize retail lottery ticket sales
- Increase problem gambling/accessibility
- Technical challenges securing online sales
- Difficult to verify age/identity remotely
- Upfront costs to implement system
Conclusion
Lottery enthusiasts in Missouri are currently limited to purchasing their Powerball, Mega Millions and Scratchers tickets in person at authorized retailers. The Missouri Lottery does not offer any way to play lottery games online. Third party ticket purchasing services provide a workaround for major draw games, but come with drawbacks. And Scratchers can only be bought at retail stores. While online lottery sales remain prohibited for now, the state may revisit this policy in the future as more move in that direction. But for the time being, playing the Missouri Lottery requires an in-person trip to get your ticket.
