In North Carolina, you can buy lottery tickets online. Here’s how.
Whenever there’s a big, potentially record-setting lottery jackpot in the news, interest in buying tickets increases.
If you want a ticket and you don’t have time to go to a convenience or grocery store — or if you’ve just waited until the last minute — there’s an easy solution for getting a ticket.
In North Carolina, you can buy lottery tickets online.
Here’s how it works.
Which lottery games can you buy tickets online for in NC?
You can buy tickets online for several “draw” lottery games in North Carolina. Those are games in which you pick (or have a computer pick) a series of numbers for your ticket, then winning numbers are drawn.
In North Carolina, you can buy tickets online for the following games:
For other draw games, including Carolina Pick Four and Carolina Pick Three, you’ll have to buy tickets in person at a store (but you can check for winning numbers online).
Tickets for scratch-off games must also be purchased in person.
How to buy lottery tickets online in NC
To buy lottery tickets online in North Carolina, you’ll need to first create an online account with the N.C. Education Lottery, or sign in if you already have an account.
▪ Head to nclottery.com/SignIn to sign in with an existing account.
▪ Head to nclottery.com/Register to create an account.
Once you have an account, you can deposit funds to your account to purchase tickets, or you can pay with a debit card, PayPal account or another method at checkout each time you buy a ticket.
After your account is set up, to buy your tickets, you’ll need to visit nclottery.com/games.
▪ Draw games are listed first on the webpage.
▪ You’ll see eight draw games listed, with the game logos and “Game info” and “Buy now” buttons for the games eligible for online ticket purchases.
▪ Click the “Buy now” button to purchase your ticket.
▪ You’ll be presented with several options for purchasing your ticket. You can use the “Quick Pick” feature to buy four, eight or 12 tickets at a time. You can also click “Build My Numbers” to select a smaller number of tickets.
▪ Like buying the tickets in person, you can pick your own numbers or have the computer pick them for you.
▪ When you’re done picking your numbers, click the yellow “Add to Cart” button and click through the prompts to checkout and purchase your tickets using funds in your account or another payment method.
How to view your lottery results and claim winnings
After the drawing, if you win a game you bought tickets online for, you’ll receive an email notifying you of your winnings.
The N.C. Education Lottery website should also inform you of your winnings the next time you log onto the website using a pop-up text box.
If your winnings are less than $600, the money will automatically be placed in your online account. You’ll then have the option to use the funds to purchase more tickets or withdraw the money.
▪ Withdrawals can be made using PayPal, Visa debit, an online bank account, ACH or check payment.
▪ To process a withdrawal, sign in to your account, click “My Account,” and select “Withdraw Funds”from the menu. You can also click on “Withdraw Funds” in your player dashboard, available by clicking on your username in the upper right corner of the lottery website.
If you win between $600 and $99,999, you’ll receive an email and online pop-up notification with instructions on how to claim your prize online.
If you win $100,000 or more, you’ll receive an email and online notification directing you to begin your claim online, then wait for further instructions. You’ll only be able to claim those winnings in person at Lottery Headquarters in Raleigh, and the Lottery should provide you with those details.
More information about claiming and receiving payment for your winnings can be found at nclottery.com/FAQOnlinePlay#Payments.
Have a problem gambling?
The N.C. Education Lottery has information on gambling responsibly at nclottery.com/PlayResponsibly.
If you need help, resources are available at nclottery.com/PlayResponsiblyProblem.
