Massachusetts' new $57.78 billion state budget authorizes the State Lottery Commission to begin online sales.Gov. Maura Healey signed the overdue fiscal year 2025 budget on Monday and authorized 258 of the 261 outside policy sections of the budget. One of those policy sections authorized the Massachusetts State Lottery to begin online lottery sales and raise revenue to support a grant program for early childhood education and care. Before online lottery sales can begin, the commission will conduct a process to find an operator for the online system. Lottery officials said they anticipate launching the online platform in "approximately 16 months." "This will allow the Lottery to keep pace with its competition and reach newer audiences,” State Treasurer Deborah B. Goldberg said in a statement. Unlike lottery sales in retail stores, where the minimum age is 18, online lottery players will be required to be at least 21.Some opponents have called it a kick in the teeth for mom and pop retail stores."We are not happy that the state will be competing against stores for lottery sales in a way that removes in-person traffic," the Massachusetts Packages Stores Association said in a written statement. "There was no need for this and it will do damage to retail who are already hurting due to people spending less."The Massachusetts State Lottery Commission, however, sees potential benefits for brick and mortar stores."If you look at the states the have implemented iLottery, the retail sales have continued to grow," Christian Teja, director of communications for the Massachusetts State Lottery Commission, said. He says the lottery app would offer customers incentives to go to retail stores, encouraging them to spend in stores as well.There will also be provisions to discourage gambling addiction, things otherwise not available at retail stores. "The advantages of iLottery is that people can impose limits, we can impose limits, people can self-exclude when they want to take a break," Teja said.The state lottery still needs to find a company to make the online app, which is expected to be developed over the coming months. The Massachusetts State Lottery boasts that it has generated over $155 billion in revenues since 1972, awarding $109 billion in prizes. Other policy measures included with the state budget authorized free community college and free rides on regional transit agencies.Among 46 states whose fiscal year began July 1, Massachusetts was the last one to put an annual spending plan in place, the State House News Service reported.
BRAINTREE, Mass. —
Massachusetts' new $57.78 billion state budget authorizes the State Lottery Commission to begin online sales.
Gov. Maura Healey signed the overdue fiscal year 2025 budget on Monday and authorized 258 of the 261 outside policy sections of the budget. One of those policy sections authorized the Massachusetts State Lottery to begin online lottery sales and raise revenue to support a grant program for early childhood education and care.
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Before online lottery sales can begin, the commission will conduct a process to find an operator for the online system. Lottery officials said they anticipate launching the online platform in "approximately 16 months."
"This will allow the Lottery to keep pace with its competition and reach newer audiences,” State Treasurer Deborah B. Goldberg said in a statement.
Unlike lottery sales in retail stores, where the minimum age is 18, online lottery players will be required to be at least 21.
Some opponents have called it a kick in the teeth for mom and pop retail stores.
"We are not happy that the state will be competing against stores for lottery sales in a way that removes in-person traffic," the Massachusetts Packages Stores Association said in a written statement. "There was no need for this and it will do damage to retail who are already hurting due to people spending less."
The Massachusetts State Lottery Commission, however, sees potential benefits for brick and mortar stores.
"If you look at the states the have implemented iLottery, the retail sales have continued to grow," Christian Teja, director of communications for the Massachusetts State Lottery Commission, said.
He says the lottery app would offer customers incentives to go to retail stores, encouraging them to spend in stores as well.
There will also be provisions to discourage gambling addiction, things otherwise not available at retail stores. "The advantages of iLottery is that people can impose limits, we can impose limits, people can self-exclude when they want to take a break," Teja said.
The state lottery still needs to find a company to make the online app, which is expected to be developed over the coming months.
The Massachusetts State Lottery boasts that it has generated over $155 billion in revenues since 1972, awarding $109 billion in prizes.
Couple reflects on winning Massachusetts' first lottery jackpot 50 years ago
Other policy measures included with the state budget authorized free community college and free rides on regional transit agencies.
Among 46 states whose fiscal year began July 1, Massachusetts was the last one to put an annual spending plan in place, the State House News Service reported.
Online lottery games legalized in $58B budget signed by Massachusetts Gov. Maura Healey
