Officials for the Massachusetts State Lottery have asked for the legislative go-ahead to begin exploring online gaming technology.
The move would not institute real-money wagers in the state, but simply help the lottery prepare should online gaming ever go live in the state.
“We are not proposing to offer these games to our players with an actual cash transaction, nor are we seeking any appropriation to fund such operations,” Lottery Assistant Executive Director Beth Bresnahan told the Committee on Consumer Protection and Professional Licensure. “Rather in the interests of preserving and protecting the lottery, we simply want to ensure that we have a solid understanding of the technology and logistics of online gaming should this market space become more competitive. Existing law does not permit us to conduct such experimentation.”
Massachusetts law currently blocks online games even when no money is exchanged. Lottery officials want to build the technical infrastructure to offer games in case the state ever does consider allowing online gaming.
Bresnahan noted that the lottery’s weekly bingo games have been declining and the lottery is looking to the future.
“If we do not start to prepare for the future generation of lottery players we’ll find ourselves with a smaller player base,” she said.
Further reductions in lottery play is expected when brick-and-mortar casino open in the state and online gaming may become a viable alternative for the lottery. However, many see online gaming as a threat to brick-and-mortar casinos.
A bill filed in the state Senate would allow the Lottery to conduct an online lottery. Bresnahan said the bill would legalize online lottery games, including games where money could be wagered according to a report on masslive.com.
The lottery is also seeking legislation to stop “10 percenters” who cash winning tickets for people who owe back taxes or child support for 10 percent of the prize. The lottery takes such payments from lottery winners, but has no legal charge to stop the 10 percenters who circumvent the payments.
