Can You Get Lottery Tickets with a Credit Card?

The average millennial spends $976 per year on lottery tickets. Tempting as it might be to whip out your credit card so you can join the fun, too, is it a wise choice?

Using credit cards to get lottery tickets: What you should know

Can you order lottery tickets with a credit card? While several states allow this, there are several considerations to keep in mind:

1. Many credit card companies consider lottery tickets cash advances in their terms. This generally means a higher APR than the one for regular purchases. 

2. Additional fees are associated with cash advances on your credit card on top of the higher APR. Usually, this is a percentage of the cash advance. Suddenly, the $10 you wanted to spend on lottery tickets has become very expensive.

3. Many credit card companies forbid this type of purchase.

4. Because this is considered a cash advance, your order immediately accrues interest. There is no grace period as there may be with other types of purchases.

5. If buying with a rewards card, because the credit card considers this a cash advance, no rewards are earned.

How much are lottery tickets, and how do you pay for them 

Lottery ticket prices vary by ticket type and game. For example, the Colorado Lottery offers many games, including the Colorado Lotto, that range in price from $0.50 to $5 for draw games and $1 to $50 for scratch-off tickets. 

It’s best to visit your local state lottery website for more information about game availability and ticket costs in your state.

Pros and cons of getting lottery tickets with a credit card

There are a few benefits when ordering lottery tickets with a credit card, including: 

• Convenience - The process is quick and easy when you don’t have cash on hand.

• Tracking- Keeping track of lottery tickets is easy with credit card transactions.

• Fraud Protection - Credit cards generally offer better fraud protection than debit card transactions.

• Credit building - If you are building or rebuilding your credit, paying off the lottery ticket order at the end of the month helps build your credit score.

However, some drawbacks could potentially impact you in the future:

• There will be higher interest on your purchase

• No grace period for interest

• No rewards are gained for tickets bought on rewards cards

• Additional fees for a cash advance

Alternative payment methods for ordering lottery tickets

Cash is king, as they say, and that is especially true when it comes to the lottery.

Can you order lottery tickets with a debit card?

While many states do not have rules about using a debit card to purchase lottery tickets, the merchant you visit might. Most probably won’t, but it would be best to check with the merchant you are considering ordering lottery tickets from to be certain. Most consider debit to be the same as cash, so there shouldn’t be a problem.

Or better yet, if you’re in a participating state, you can order your tickets online with Jackpocket. Fund your account with an approved payment method for your state and avoid a trip to the store.

Step-by-step guide: How to order a lottery ticket

Playing the lottery is an exciting game of chance. Make certain that you set a budget for your lottery order that you are not willing to go over and stick to it! 

The first thing you need to do is decide what type of lottery you want to participate in–scratch-off or draw tickets. Smaller games, such as Florida’s Pick 3, can be really fun to get involved in. While the prizes aren’t as substantial, you have a greater chance of winning. See your state’s lottery website for available games, costs, and how to play.

If you choose to order draw tickets, you will need to select a set of numbers. See your state lottery website for the specific rules of each game. States have their own individual draw games, and many states offer Powerball or Mega Millions. Many people play anniversaries, birthdays, or just randomly select numbers. You can also choose the Quick Pick option and let the computer randomly select numbers for you.

If you win a large prize, you may need to decide between cash and annuity. 

States that allow credit card lottery ticket purchases

If you’re still convinced that using a credit card for your lottery order is the way to go, some states do allow it. However, be prepared. Just because the state allows it doesn’t mean the merchant will. They set their own rules about the acceptable forms of payment. There is also the possibility of paying an additional fee for credit card use.

21 states that let you order lottery tickets with a credit card:

1. Arizona

2. California

3. Colorado

4. Delaware

5. Indiana

6. Idaho

7. Illinois

8. Kansas

9. Kentucky

10. Louisiana

11. Maine

12. Michigan

13. Missouri

14. Nebraska

15. New York

16. Ohio

17. Oregon

18. Rhode Island

19. South Dakota

20. Vermont

21. Washington

Ready to join the excitement? Download the Jackpocket app, fund your account, and order your tickets whenever that lucky moment strikes!