Massachusetts lawmakers first pondered the concept of an Internet lottery platform in 2012, but it faced significant resistance. Legislators have consistently opposed online gambling for the past 12 years. However, a recent legislative compromise has finally addressed these lingering concerns, leading to the long-expected legalization of iLottery in Massachusetts.
iLottery Should Provide Significant Benefits
Governor Maura Healey signed the state Legislature’s $58 million compromise budget bill, effectively legalizing the new lottery platform. Industry stakeholders expect this move will generate an additional $100 million in revenue. The Massachusetts State Lottery, which returned a record $1.176 billion in profit last year from revenue of $6.131 billion, will now enter the online realm.
In an interview with local news outlet MassLive, Massachusetts state lottery director Mark William Bracken described the new update as a “win-win,” adding that online games would significantly bolster the lottery’s financial contributions to the Commonwealth. Bracken has been the director of the Massachusetts State Lottery since 2022 and has worked to make the player experience more engaging while retaining adequate gambling harm prevention measures.
While the platform should go live in December 2025, significant groundwork remains. Bracken noted that although a 16-month full implementation seems a lot, the Massachusetts State Lottery has been preparing for some time now. The current MA Lottery app and Mass Lottery website already possess the option to accommodate iLottery in addition to approximately 350,000 existing authenticated players.
The Legislation Introduces Much-Needed Protections
The new iLottery platform will feature more than scratch tickets. Besides the option to purchase drawing game tickets such as “Powerball” and “Mass Cash,” there will also be themed games that differ from traditional offerings, similar to “Connect Four,” where symbols drop down and players match connecting symbols. These new offerings will feature a unique pricing model, taking advantage of their online status.
It’s all proportional to the amount you bet, which we can’t do right now on a regular instant ticket because it’s a set printed item.
Mark William Bracken, Massachusetts state lottery director
The introduction of an online lottery has received mixed reactions from legislators and retail store owners, who have long been the primary outlets for lottery ticket sales. However, Bracken believes iLottery will boost in-store sales. Online players will receive rewards with bonuses that can only be used in retail stores, driving online players to engage with physical locations.
One of our primary concerns in this entire process is to not only protect the sales at retail locations but also to help grow those sales at retail locations.
Mark William Bracken, Massachusetts state lottery director
The new legislation also includes several safeguards to address concerns about gambling addiction. The platform will feature a self-exclusion list, similar to those used by casinos, allowing players to block themselves from placing bets online. Account deposit limitations range from daily to annual limits, ensuring that iLottery not only bolsters revenues but also introduces much-needed customer protection updates.
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