Whether you’re looking to buy a lottery ticket or to play the game yourself, there are many different options available. Some lottery games require a significant investment in time, while others allow you to play for pocket change. Some games, like Powerball, have jackpots that are hundreds of thousands of dollars.

Most lotteries offer two types of games. The first is a cash lotto, where the prize is a lump-sum payment. The second is a scratch-off game, where players compete for instant prizes.

In a typical lotto, the player selects six numbers from a set of 49. In a scratch-off game, players select three or four numbers from a wider range. Then, the lottery draws one of the winning numbers, and the winner receives the prize.

In the 1990s, several states began offering lotteries. New Jersey, Virginia, Missouri, Kansas, Oregon, Colorado, Idaho, and South Dakota all began offering the game. Other states followed a few decades later.

While there are still eight states that don’t offer any type of lottery, there are now more than 60 lottery games on the market. These include the Fantasy 5, Mega Millions, and Powerball. These lottery games can be played for as little as 25 cents or as much as 99 cents each.

In addition to the traditional lotto and scratch-off games, some lottery organizations offer sports-themed promotions with famous celebrities and cartoon characters. For example, the New Jersey Lottery launched a scratch game that gives players the chance to win a Harley-Davidson motorcycle.