Every year, Americans spend approximately $70 billion on lottery tickets, making it one of the most popular forms of gambling in the country.
When it comes to buying lottery tickets, most people use cash. But what if you don’t have any cash on hand? Can you buy lottery tickets using your debit card? Let’s find out.
Can You Buy Lottery Tickets With a Debit Card?
You can use your debit card to buy lottery tickets in 21 US states as long the retailer approves it. That said, certain businesses, such as supermarket chains and gas stations, have the right to refuse any purchase made with a debit card due to fraud prevention or transaction costs.
If you do use your debit card to purchase lottery tickets, be sure to keep an eye on your bank account. Since lottery winnings are considered taxable income, you’re obligated to report them to the IRS as “other income.”
10 Stats and Facts on Lottery Ticket Sales
Can you use a debit card to buy lottery tickets, how to do it, and which states ban using credit cards?
1. Some states allow purchasing lottery tickets using debit cards but not credit cards.
(Point.app) (USA Today)
You can buy a lottery ticket using your debit and credit card in the following states:
- Oregon
- California
- Idaho
- Arizona
- Colorado
- South Dakota
- Nebraska
- Kansas
- Missouri
- Louisiana
- Illinois
- Michigan
- Indiana
- Kentucky
- Ohio
- New York
- Vermont
- Rhode Island
- Delaware
- Maine
On the other hand, states that ban credit cards are:
- Alabama
- Alaska
- Arkansas
- Colorado
- Connecticut
- Florida
- Georgia
- Hawaii
- Iowa
- Maryland
- Massachusetts
- Minnesota
- Mississippi
- Montana
- Nevada
- New Hampshire
- New Jersey
- New Mexico
- North Carolina
- North Dakota
- Oklahoma
- South Carolina
- Tennessee
- Texas
- Utah
- Virginia
- Washington
- West Virginia
- Wisconsin
- Wyoming
The primary reason states prohibit lottery ticket sales with a credit card is to assist consumers in avoiding gambling-related debt.
2. Five states don’t participate in state lotteries.
(CNBC)
While you can buy a car using your debit card, you can’t buy a lottery ticket in Alaska, Alabama, Hawaii, Nevada, and Utah. Lottery ticket purchases are unavailable in the mentioned states since they don’t participate in state lotteries.
3. California allows using debit cards, credit cards, and cash for purchasing lottery tickets.
(LotteryTexts) (Calottery)
Can you buy lottery tickets with a debit card in California? Yes, you can. The Golden State allows you to buy lottery tickets using debit and credit cards. However, you can only purchase tickets at the local lottery retailers as there are no online purchases.
4. 10 US states that don’t impose state taxes on lottery winnings.
(CNBC)
These states are the kindest when it comes to lottery winnings since they don’t levy state taxes:
- California
- Delaware
- Florida
- New Hampshire
- Mississippi
- South Dakota
- Tennessee
- Texas
- Washington
- Wyoming
5. New York allows you to buy lottery tickets and scratch-offs from retailers or online.
(PlayNY)
Can you buy lottery tickets with a debit card in New York? Yes, you can. Moreover, unlike other states (such as California) that allow only purchases through retailers, you can also buy lottery tickets online via NY Lottery mobile app.
However, you cannot play online lottery games through the NY Lottery app.
6. Using your debit card, you can buy lottery tickets in Washington from 1,114 retailers.
(Walottery) (Walottery)
The only cashless payment option accepted for lottery products in Washington state is a debit card.
You can also pay with cash, but you must make the purchase either as an entirely all-cash or a fully all-debit transaction. When it comes to the debit card limitations, you will be limited to spending a maximum of $700 on lottery tickets over seven days.
7. You can use your debit card to purchase an online cash voucher at any lottery store in Virginia.
(Valottery)
Can you buy lottery tickets with a debit card in Virginia? Yes, and you can also use your Visa debit card to buy a prepaid voucher for $10, $20, $50, or $100 at the local store or via lottery vending machines.
Moreover, you can use your Visa debit card to cash out your winnings. You won’t have to make a prior deposit.
8. In Massachusetts, you can buy lottery tickets only from a local retailer.
(PlayUSA)
Currently, there is no way of purchasing lottery tickets online in Massachusetts. You also can’t play the Massachusetts Lottery games online.
You can only buy tickets using your debit card (no credit card purchases) at a local retailer.
9. The Florida Lottery does not sell tickets online, by mail, or via fax.
(News-Press) (Flalottery)
You can only purchase tickets from 13,000 authorized retailers in Florida, but not online. The Florida Lottery also does not offer a subscription service.
Can you buy lottery tickets with a debit card in Florida? It will depend on the vendor. For example, while purchasing lottery tickets using a credit card is prohibited, there are no restrictions on debit cards. It’s up to the retailer whether or not they will accept debit card payments.
10. Walmart accepts cash, debit cards, and Walmart gift cards to buy lottery tickets.
(Grocery Questions)
To purchase lottery tickets at one of the world’s largest retailers, you can use a debit card, cash, or a Walmart gift card. You can buy them from the customer service desk or a scratch-off vending machine. Unfortunately, Walmart doesn’t accept credit cards.
Conclusion
So, can you use a debit card to buy lottery tickets? In short, yes, you can since there are no federal laws prohibiting the use of debit cards for lottery purchases. However, retailers may have their own policies in place.
Some states also don’t allow credit card purchases, such as Massachusetts. And, in some cases, like Washington, you may be limited to spending a certain amount per week using your debit card.
FAQs
How do I use my debit card on the lottery machine?
To use your debit card on the lottery machine, you must select the debit option at checkout. Next, insert your card into the machine and enter your zip code. Your tickets will be printed out and dispensed in the tray below.
Can you buy lottery tickets with a credit card in Georgia?
No, you cannot buy lottery tickets with a credit card in Georgia. You can only purchase tickets using a debit card.
Can you buy scratch-offs with a debit card in Illinois?
Yes, you can buy scratch-off tickets with a debit card in Illinois. You can also use a credit card.
Can you buy scratch tickets with a debit card in Washington state?
Yes, you can use your debit card to buy lottery tickets in Washington state. You can also use cash, but you must make the purchase as an all-cash or fully debit transaction. However, when using your debit card, you will be limited to spending $700 on lottery tickets within seven days.
On the other hand, Washington’s Lottery will be covering the transaction fees.
Can you buy lottery tickets with a debit card online? No, you can only buy them from a licensed retail store.
