In a time when we can book a flight, purchase movie tickets or check our bank balance at the touch of a finger on our smartphone-it seems only natural that lottery online would have taken off as well. There are plenty of benefits to playing lotto online, from convenience to minimizing the risk of fraudulent claims and more.

The first advantage of lottery online is the fact that it’s very convenient. It’s easy to buy a ticket from the comfort of your couch or office, and it’s even easier to play when you are on vacation or at your child’s sports game. All you need is a smartphone or computer with an internet connection.

Another benefit is the security of playing lottery online. Whether you order your lottery tickets from the state lottery or from an online ticket provider, there is a digital record of each transaction. This eliminates any concerns about lost or stolen tickets. Plus, if you form a group lottery syndicate, the online site will store and verify each ticket under your user profile, which minimizes any fraud.

Finally, playing lotto online can also benefit your local community. Lottery dollars are used to support essential state programs, such as education, veterans services, natural resources and more. The more you play, the greater the impact on your county. This year, your lottery plays helped Wake Tech student Luis Tapia pay for school; teacher John Hargrove continue to inspire and care for students; and the county build a new high school.