How many times have you walked by a lottery retailer and wanted to buy a ticket but had no cash on you? You’ve probably been there more than once – only with your credit cards and unable to play. But…is it possible to buy lottery tickets with a credit card?
Keep reading, because today we’re going to explain everything you need to know about this topic and help you find out if you can buy your lotto tickets with a credit card in your state.
So, Can You Buy Lottery Tickets with a Credit Card?
Yes, you can buy lottery tickets with a credit card, but it depends on where you live.
There are 23 states that allow you to buy lotto tickets with a credit card. But even if it’s legal in your state, you still have to find a place that accepts credit cards. This means that it may not be as easy as walking into your local grocery store or gas station and using your credit card to play. Each store has its own rules, and some might prefer cash.
On the other hand, 22 states prohibit buying lottery with a credit card to prevent excessive gambling and debt. In these states, retailers usually only accept cash or sometimes other forms of payment such as debit cards, checks, or even PayPal.
Which States Allow Credit Card Lottery Purchases?
Not sure if it is legal to buy lottery with a credit card in your state? Well here’s a list of all the states that allow it.
States where you can buy lottery tickets with a credit card
- Arizona
- California
- Delaware
- Florida
- Idaho
- Illinois
- Indiana
- Kansas
- Kentucky
- Louisiana
- Maine
- Michigan
- Mississippi
- Missouri
- Nebraska
- New York
- Ohio
- Oregon
- Pennsylvania
- Rhode Island
- South Dakota
- Vermont
- Washington
- West Virginia
States that do not allow using credit cards for lottery purchases
- Arkansas
- Colorado
- Connecticut
- Georgia
- Iowa
- Maryland
- Massachusetts
- Minnesota
- Montana
- New Hampshire
- New Jersey
- New Mexico
- North Carolina
- North Dakota
- Oklahoma
- South Carolina
- Tennessee
- Texas
- Virginia
- Wisconsin
- Wyoming
Why Avoid Buying Lottery Tickets with a Credit Card
Now, is it really a good idea to buy lottery tickets with a credit card?
The truth is, using your card is very convenient because you don’t have to worry about carrying cash. However, in general, buying lottery tickets with a credit card is not recommended.
Lottery tickets are a discretionary expense, and winning isn’t as easy as we’d like. Using credit for this type of purchase can lead to debt for something with a very uncertain return.
Here are the top reasons why you should avoid buying lottery tickets with a credit card:
1. Lottery Purchases May be Charged as a cash advance.
Many credit card companies consider buying lottery tickets with a credit card the same as getting a cash advance.
But wait…what is a cash advance?
It’s when you get cash from your credit limit, but it comes with extra fees and much higher interest rates than regular purchases. Some issuers treat lottery retail purchases as cash advances. This means that you could pay a lot more in the long run in addition to paying for the ticket.
2. You Might Not Earn Rewards
Many credit cards offer points or cash back based on your purchases, but spending on lottery tickets often doesn’t count. Check your card’s terms and conditions to see if you can earn rewards for buying lottery tickets with your credit card.
3. You’ll Go Into Debt to Finance Your Gambling.
This is the most significant risk of buying lotto tickets with a credit card – and it’s one of the reasons it’s illegal in some states.
Since the money isn’t coming directly out of your pocket, it’s easy to be tempted to spend more than you planned. Before you know it, you could end up with a lot of debt from lottery tickets alone.
When you pay with cash, you have a natural limit: you can only spend what you have on you. But with a credit card, that limit disappears, and your spending can grow without you noticing. At the end of the year, you may be surprised at how much you’ve spent on lottery tickets without even planning for it.
When you use the Lottonia App, you no longer have to worry about keeping track of all your lottery expenses on paper. Lottonia stores your lucky numbers and tracks all of your expenses.
Every time you register a bet, Lottonia adds the ticket cost to your total. This way, you can easily see how much you’ve spent on the lottery – whether it’s for the day, week, month, or year.
Download the Lottonia App now and stay in control!
Summing up…
Although some states allow you to buy lottery with a credit card, it’s best to use cash. This way, you can better control your spending, avoid paying unnecessary interest, and reduce the risk of getting into debt by playing.
Remember, the lottery is a fun game. So, play responsibly and in a way that doesn’t affect your financial stability. And what about you? Have you ever used a credit card to buy lottery tickets? Share your experience below—we’d love to hear from you!