In one embodiment, a method for authorizing lottery transactions comprises receiving an account identifier for a stored value lottery account from a lottery system. The account identifier is authenticated at a host computer system and an authentication is transmitted to the lottery system. A cost associated with one or more lottery picks for a lottery transaction is received from the lottery system, a determination is made at the host computer system that the cost does not exceed an account balance associated with the account identifier, and an authorization for the lottery transaction is transmitted to the lottery system.