Lottery Couriers Explained: How They Work, State by State

A lottery courier is a private company that takes your order online and has someone buy a real paper ticket for you at a licensed store. Whether you can use one depends on where you live. As of March 2026, seven states ban couriers, five regulate them, and most states have no law either way. Where couriers operate, the state’s rules apply. In New Jersey, for example, you need to be inside the state when you place an order.

How couriers work

Couriers are separate from state lotteries. Vixio, a regulatory research firm, says a courier needs an employee inside the state to buy the ticket in person. The courier then scans the ticket and uploads it to your account, so you can see exactly what was bought.

We don’t recommend or rank any courier.

States that ban couriers

Vixio lists seven states that expressly ban lottery couriers:

• California: In June 2024, the California Lottery told stores they could lose their retailer contract if they sell to couriers. Its FAQ says online and app-based resellers can’t operate in the state, and that selling California Lottery tickets by mail, online or through an app is illegal. Vixio reports the lottery says it can’t knowingly pay a prize on a ticket bought through a digital service.
• Florida: In December 2024, the Florida Lottery shut down a courier it said was selling tickets without permission. The lottery said buying through unauthorized third parties is illegal and can lead to fraud or lost winnings.
• Indiana: House Bill 1053, signed May 1, 2025, makes running a courier service without express authorization a Class A misdemeanor.
• Mississippi: A February 2024 attorney general opinion found couriers aren’t authorized under state law. State law also bars selling tickets through computers, tablets or phones.
• Texas: The Texas Lottery Commission declared couriers illegal in February 2025 and voted to ban them that April. On June 20, 2025, the governor signed Senate Bill 3070, which bans online lottery sales, including by phone, internet app or mobile app, and makes a violation a Class A misdemeanor. The Texas Lottery FAQ also says state law doesn’t allow ticket sales by mail, phone or internet.
• Virginia: A state law bans couriers. Vixio says a violation can be a Class 1 misdemeanor, with up to 12 months in jail, a $2,500 fine, or both.
• Wisconsin: State law says, “No person may operate a ticket courier service in this state.”

States that regulate couriers

Five states expressly regulate couriers: Arkansas, Colorado, New Jersey, New York and Oregon. Vixio says New Jersey and New York have the most detailed rules, covering registration, responsible gaming, geolocation, independent testing and advertising. Oregon’s rules took effect January 1, 2026.

New Jersey is a good example of how location rules work. Couriers must use geolocation software so orders can be placed only from inside New Jersey. Once you log in, the software checks your location every 10 minutes. If you’re outside the state, the courier can take your order once you’re back.

Everywhere else

In the other states, no law expressly allows or bans couriers. Vixio says that gray area is shrinking:

• In April 2025, Arizona’s Lottery Commission voted to let the lottery write rules allowing couriers with approval. Those rules still needed state review before taking effect.
• New Hampshire’s Lottery Commission has considered rules that would ban couriers and bulk ticket sales.

These laws move fast, so your state lottery’s official site is the place for current rules. Our state pages link to each one.

When a courier leaves a state

Couriers can stop serving a state at any time. TheLotter US announced two exits:

• New Jersey: It stopped taking orders on November 19, 2025. It canceled and refunded orders for later draws, and players had until February 17, 2026, to withdraw their money.
• New York: It stopped taking orders on January 29, 2026. Players had until April 29, 2026, to withdraw their balances.

If you use a courier, it’s worth knowing how and when you can withdraw a balance.

Quick checklist

• Check your state’s rules: See whether your state bans, regulates or says nothing about couriers.
• Know the official route: The Texas, California and Florida lotteries all point players to authorized retailers.
• Know who holds your ticket: With a courier, a private company holds your ticket, not you or the state lottery.
• Set a budget: Our budget planner helps you plan regular play, and our responsible play page has more tips.