Massachusetts has authorized iLottery.
On Monday, Gov. Maura Healey signed the fiscal year 2025 budget that was passed by both the House and Senate two weeks ago.
Included in that budget is language to legalize iLottery, making Massachusetts the next to be among the states with online lotteries.
Lottery officials expect the online platform to be available in about 16 months. That would put the launch near the end of 2025.
Age limit of 21 to be set for iLottery in Massachusetts
After a late push by the Democratic-led House to get iLottery on the FY25 budget, it was nearly unanimously approved by lawmakers.
Only Friday, July 19, the House had a 154-3 approval of the budget. The Senate was unanimous with 40-0 support.
Gov. Healey was the final step, and she gave her thumbs up on Monday.
The language in the budget would see iLottery begin with multistate lottery draw games and any draw games in Massachusetts.
The minimum age for online lottery purchases will be 21. Retail purchases will still be available to 18 year olds and up.
The budget also called for stringent advertising rules for iLottery in order to combat problem gambling.
Revenue from the online platform will go toward supporting a grant program for early childhood education and care.
Massachusetts Lottery ready ‘to get to work’
Following Gov. Healey’s approval, the Massachusetts Lottery expressed its excitement.
State Treasurer and Chair of the Massachusetts State Lottery Commission, Deborah B. Goldberg, says the state is ready to bring a safe and reliable iLottery to customers, through a press release:
“We thank Governor Healey for her support of online Lottery and approving it in the final FY25 budget. This will allow the Lottery to keep pace with its competition and reach newer audiences. We are prepared to implement a safe and reliable iLottery that will produce significant resources for critical childcare services, which are so desperately needed across the state. Thank you to Speaker Ron Mariano, President Karen Spilka, and the Joint Ways and Means Committee for prioritizing this important policy change. And thank you to the legislators who have championed this issue. We are excited to get to work!”
Mark William Bracken, Executive Director of the Massachusetts Lottery, has been outspoken in his desire to see this step taken. He feels iLottery can help combat the loss of sales that have come through the launch of mobile sports betting in the state:
“Our team is excited to implement an online Lottery. We are ready and prepared to offer our players a modern lottery experience in a safe and accessible environment. At the same time, the Lottery is unwavering in its commitment to our dedicated retail partners who have helped us become the most successful lottery in the country.”
The lottery will be conducting a Request for Response to procure services for the operation of an online lottery. This is the start of the proposed 16-month timeline for an official iLottery launch.
Photo by Talaj via Shutterstock
Graphic from the Massachusetts Lottery