The wait to buy lottery tickets online in Massachusetts is almost over.
The Bay State has officially legalized online lottery sales. Governor Maura Healey signed the fiscal year 2025 budget, which includes provisions allowing for online lottery sales and instant games. The Massachusetts State Lottery Commission will soon begin the process of selecting an operator for the online platform, with an expected launch in late December 2025.
This development will bring the lottery experience to digital platforms, catering to a wider audience and generating revenue for early childhood education and care. There is one big difference though. The minimum age for online ticket purchases will be 21, unlike the traditional in-store sales age of 18.
“This will allow the Lottery to keep pace with its competition and reach newer audiences,” State Treasurer Deb Goldberg said in a statement. “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.”
“E-Instant” Tickets Also Approved in Massachusetts
Beyond buying draw game tickets online, Massachusetts players can now enjoy “e-instant” tickets, which is “an online version of a scratch ticket,” akin to online slot machines. Many manufacturers of online slots also create similar titles for e-instant games, some of which feature progressive jackpots.
Some online games, such as scratch tickets, do not have set price points. Instead, the prize amount is determined by a player’s wager, following a ‘paytable.’ For example, if a player bets 10 cents, they might win 20 cents; a $5 bet could yield a $10 prize. A game’s “pay table” will rise as the wagers increase.
Additionally, there are games with lottery-style prizes, including opportunities to win over $1 million. New games are introduced every one to two weeks.
Sports Betting Tax Increase Recently Shot Down
The Massachusetts State Lottery, with over $155 billion in land-based revenues since 1972, anticipates an additional $100 million annually from online sales. That’s good news because Massachusetts legislators recently rejected another proposal to generate additional revenue for the Bay State.
The Massachusetts Senate decided against passing an amendment that would have raised the tax rate on online sports betting platforms from 20% to 51%, potentially making Massachusetts one of the highest-taxed states for sports betting, alongside New York.
Not Everyone on Board With Online Lottery Sales
Some critics describe legalizing online lottery sales as a severe blow to small, local 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. A spokesperson told WCVB News that in states that have implemented iLottery, retail sales have continued to grow.
“Online players will earn rewards,” said Massachusetts State Lottery Director Mark William Bracken. “These rewards can only be redeemed at retail partners, which encourages online players to visit physical stores. There, they may buy not only lottery products but also other items.”
Only time will tell.
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