HARRISBURG — The Pennsylvania Lottery announced Friday that players need not leave the comfort of their homes to take a chance at becoming a multimillionaire, as they can now buy a Powerball or Mega Millions ticket on their phone, tablet or computer via an app.

Apple users can download the app from the Apple App Store, while Android users must visit palottery.com/android or text APP to 54187 to receive a special Android download link.

“Selling lottery online is a big part of our effort to appeal to new customers and meet our players where they already are — which is online,” said Drew Svitko, Pennsylvania Lottery executive director. “This is an important step that will help us continue generating funds to benefit older Pennsylvanians.”

Players can also set a number of controls to prevent themselves from overplaying.

“As with all lottery games, we urge players to play responsibly and always within their means,” Svitko said.

To play the lottery online, users must sign up for an iLottery account and deposit funds to make a purchase, according to a Friday news release from the Pennsylvania Lottery.

New account holders must prove they are at least 18 years old by providing their name, address, birth date and last four digits of their Social Security number, which would be checked by lottery officials to confirm the player is of age, said Eva Dworakowski, a Pennsylvania Lottery spokeswoman.

“Your personal information is secure, as we use industry-standard best practices to safeguard your personal information,” Dworakowski said.

The process also includes a secure upload feature, she said.

Once confirmed, users can choose their own numbers, select “quick pick” to receive randomly selected numbers, purchase multiple tickets, and buy tickets up to 26 drawings in advance, but only in Pennsylvania.

“By law, online lottery players must be physically located in the state of Pennsylvania to play for money and win prizes,” Svitko said.

While players could print out their transaction information, each ticket would be held in the player’s iLottery account.

Pennsylvania Lottery launched online playing for other games in May 2018 via iLottery.

One local resident who uses the lottery app is David Lamison of Butler. He plays Slingo, A Dragon’s Story, Volcano Eruption and other games via iLottery.

He likes the idea of the big-money drawings being available online as well.

“They are always exploring and expanding in new directions,” Lamison said of the Pennsylvania Lottery.

He enjoys having various and diverse games on his iLottery account available to him without leaving home.

“It’s like having a little casino,” said Lamison, who won $500 on a scratch-off ticket three weeks ago.

Like many, Lamison only buys Powerball or Mega Millions tickets when the jackpot is high. He buys one quick-pick and one ticket with numbers of his choosing.

“I think the feedback will be good,” Lamison said of buying the tickets online.

Lenita Day of Butler Township said she would buy a Powerball or Mega Millions ticket online.

“I think it’s useful,” Day said. “It makes the lottery more accessible.”

She also refrains from buying the tickets unless the jackpot is high.

But others don’t think the program is a good idea.

“I just like to get a ticket and have it,” said Marty Bellaji of Butler.

Bellaji buys Powerball quick-pick tickets twice per week.

Mark Iarrapino of Butler Township said there are inherent dangers in buying lottery tickets online.

“I worry that kids will use it,” he said.

He said young people could enter their parents’ information to get an iLottery account.

He also said the self-policing controls are “bull.”

“People might spend too much,” Iarrapino said.

For that reason, Butler resident Timothy Donnelly said he will continue to restrict himself to buying a limited number of lottery tickets at the Shell Station on Jefferson and Cunningham Streets.

“I think people could get into real trouble real quick,” Donnelly said of buying Powerball or Mega Millions tickets online.

Dworakowski said Pennsylvania Lottery expects incremental growth from the availability of big-money tickets online. That, in turn, will benefit the state’s senior citizens.

More information on all online lottery programs is available at www.paiLottery.com.