Can you buy scratch off tickets with a credit card?

Yes, you can buy scratch off tickets with a credit card as long as there are no state laws that prohibit this practice and both the merchant selling them and your credit card issuer allows it. But doing so is not a good idea.

While some states allow purchasing lottery tickets with a credit card… read full answer, these purchases are generally considered cash-equivalent transactions. That means you’d be getting a cash advance for the amount your tickets cost. Cash advances are extremely expensive transactions with high APRs that apply immediately, with no grace period. Plus, each cash advance will also incur exorbitant fees. So even if you can buy scratch off tickets with a credit card, it’s best to avoid it.

What you should know about buying scratch off tickets with a credit card:

• Legality: Buying scratch offs with your credit card may be illegal. While some states allow it, there can be special provisions around which retailers can sell them.
• Merchant and issuer provisions: Some merchants selling tickets might prohibit using credit cards to buy them. Credit card issuers also have a say in whether cards can be used for such purchases.
• Cash advance costs: Any lottery tickets bought with your credit card are typically treated as cash advances and subject to additional costs. Unlike regular interest, cash advance APRs do not benefit from grace periods and accrue immediately. Plus, there are cash advance fees which also make these transactions disadvantageous.
• Debt risk: As with any other form of gambling, buying scratch off tickets with credit is an unnecessary risk, as it could enable you to spend more than you can afford.
• Credit card reward restrictions: If you have a rewards credit card, most issuers will have restrictions around which types of purchases accrue rewards and gambling purchases, including scratch off tickets, are often excluded.

No, buying lottery tickets does not affect your credit score. Only information on your credit report can affect your credit score, and lottery ticket purchases are not listed on credit reports.

The types of things that may impact your credit score include your payment history on loans and lines of credit, amounts owed, the length of your credit history, the kind of credit you use, and new or recent credit. It has nothing to do with the specific items you purchase.… read full answer

Yes. You can buy lottery tickets with a credit card in 21 out of 50 states. Twenty-nine states prohibit the practice, as does Washington D.C. Some states only prohibit credit cards, while others won’t let you buy lottery tickets with either a credit card or a debit card. Plus, even if state regulations allow credit cards, the merchant selling tickets might not accept them. So you shouldn’t bet on being able to use your card to play.… read full answer

It’s also worth noting that gambling purchases usually aren’t eligible for credit card rewards. So you’re not gaining a whole lot by using your credit card rather than a debit card or cash.

Here’s Where you Can Buy Lottery Tickets with a Credit Card

• Arizona
• California
• Colorado
• Delaware
• Indiana
• Idaho
• Illinois
• Kansas
• Kentucky
• Louisiana
• Maine
• Michigan
• Missouri
• Nebraska
• New York
• Ohio
• Oregon
• Rhode Island
• South Dakota
• Vermont
• Washington

So 21 states will let you buy lottery tickets with a credit card. But keep in mind that legality doesn’t necessarily mean widespread merchant acceptance. For instance, you won’t be able to buy lottery tickets with a credit card at Safeway, a large grocery store chain.

Plus, you probably won’t get any rewards. And you don’t want to take on debt to finance a gambling purchase, since the chances of winning your money back are slim. So a credit card is not the best vehicle for this particular type of spending.