Massachusetts citizens who want to play the state’s online lottery will have to wait until April 2026 owing to delays in getting the required cash to construct the platform. Originally scheduled to start by the end of 2025, the deadline has been pushed back, state authorities acknowledged.
At a recent Greater Boston Chamber of Commerce conference, State Treasurer Deborah Goldberg, Chair of the Massachusetts Lottery, acknowledged that the lottery’s online development has been slower than anticipated. This delay is due to the state not yet obtaining the $2.5 million in government money necessary to launch the project.
Lottery Director Mark Bracken indicated that the 16-month schedule for implementing the platform would not begin until funds are granted. “Unfortunately, we have not yet received funding to do anything with the online lottery,” Bracken remarked, adding that the money may not arrive until November 2024 or January 2025.
Funding Delays Push Timeline
Massachusetts lawmakers enacted legislation legalizing the online lottery in June 2024, which Governor Maura Healey signed into law in July. However, a lack of urgent funds has slowed work, preventing the state lottery from employing staff or contracting the necessary experts to construct the platform.
After money is obtained, the Massachusetts Lottery will have 16 months to completely develop the online platform. This schedule moves the projected launch date to spring 2026, rather than the previously predicted fall 2025. Bracken promised the audience that the extra time would enable the lottery to release a more refined and polished product. “We want this to be the best platform with the best offerings for our players,” he stated
Financial Expectations Adjusted
The delays have also resulted in a reduction of the estimated earnings from the online lottery. Initially, state authorities estimated that the platform would generate $100 million in income for the first fiscal year. However, that forecast has now been reduced to $70 million, with sales predicted to rise to $180 million in the second year and $230 million in the third.
The cash earned through the online lottery will be used to assist early childhood education and care initiatives in Massachusetts. Despite the setback, the Massachusetts Lottery remains confident about the platform’s long-term viability once it goes live.
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Gambling, Retail, and Governmental Impact
Bracken and Goldberg also addressed fears that the introduction of internet commerce might hurt traditional retail sales. However, Bracken disputed these concerns, stating that in places where online lottery platforms have been implemented, retail sales have typically increased. “In every state that had online lottery, their retail sales grew at a faster pace than states that didn’t have online lottery,” Bracken told me.
Furthermore, online gamers will be able to cash incentives at physical locations, which is expected to increase foot traffic to brick-and-mortar lottery stores. This method seeks to strike a compromise between the rise of online lotteries and the ongoing performance of traditional lottery stores.
Preparing to Launch
Although financing has not been confirmed, the Massachusetts Lottery is already building the framework for the platform. Officials have been in talks with numerous platform providers and game makers, and they have published a Request for Proposals (RFP) to find suitable partners for constructing the online system.
Once the platform is operational, gamers may expect a complete range of digital lottery alternatives, including classic draw games and new e-instant games akin to online slots. Bracken alluded to the idea of themed mini-games that put a new spin on standard scratch tickets, giving players a unique experience while remaining faithful to the lottery structure.
The internet platform would enable Massachusetts players to buy tickets and play instant win games straight from their phones or laptops, increasing convenience while also growing the state’s gaming ecosystem.
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