NJ Lottery to Begin Online Sales

New Jersey Lottery officials have announced plans to sell tickets directly to players through their own website.

Details are still being worked out, but the plan is to allow sales direct from NJLottery.com and through the state's lottery app.

Third-party websites like Lotto.com and the Jackpocket app facilitate on-line sales, but each still sends a person to an actual lottery retailer to purchase paper tickets.

Under the proposal approved by the lottery this week, the state would begin direct sales of digital tickets in the fall of 2024.

Officials are hoping to further capitalize on the popularity of big money jackpots offered by multi-state games like Mega Millions and Powerball.

Third party providers charge a service fee for their on-line ticket purchases. It is not clear if New Jersey will charge a similar fee through their own website.

For players, the change means they can skip stopping at a local store to play their numbers.

That's a problem, says the New Jersey Gasoline, Convenience Store, Automotive Association.

The group says it will take much needed business away from neighborhood stores who depend on Lottery sales to survive.

"Ultimately," says NJGCA Chief Administrator Eric Blomgren, "The State selling lottery tickets directly to the consumer through the internet puts physical retail stores in competition with the very government entity that is their supplier, distributor, and chief advertiser."

It is unclear what prompted state officials to move forward with plans to provide their own on-line lottery sales.

Blomgren says any demand for on-line purchasing is already being "satisfied by the existing lottery courier companies."

When on-line sales begin, only tickets for lottery drawings will be available. Scratch-off tickets will still only be sold at physical retail locations.