Some games remain exclusive to retailers, others are only available online

By Kate Northrop

The Massachusetts Lottery's online platform for digital ticket sales officially went live on Monday, which means Massachusetts players have a new way to buy their tickets and play online exclusive draw games.

With the launch of Mass Lottery Online, Massachusetts players have access to new digitally exclusive eInstant and draw games, as well as a new way to purchase draw game tickets.

Players 21 and older can now play the lottery on the Massachusetts Lottery's mobile app and website from the convenience of a tablet, phone, or computer.

"The launch of our online platform marks an exciting new chapter for the Lottery as we continue to evolve and meet the needs of today's players," Massachusetts State Lottery Commission Chair and State Treasurer Deborah B. Goldberg said in a press release. "Online lottery will allow us to compete on a more level playing field in the state's gaming marketplace and sales will help make childcare more affordable for families across Massachusetts."

While retailers will always remain a constant option for players who are out and about, tickets for popular in-state and multi-state draw games are available for purchase online, including Mass Cash, Megabucks, Mega Millions, Powerball, and Millionaire for Life. Ticket costs, prizes, odds, and draw times remain the same.

The Lottery has also launched a portfolio of 20 eInstant games that are only available to play online in a digital format. Price points range from 50 cents per play to $50 with prizes proportional to the amount wagered.

eInstant games feature a variety of play styles, including symbol matching graphics and progressive jackpots that grow with each play.

Online players can also try out the Lottery's two new draw games that are solely online-only: Mass 3 with Wicked Bonus and Mass 4 with Wicked Bonus.

The two games operate similarly to the traditional daily Numbers Game, the Lottery explained, but with fixed prize amounts for each way to win. Based on a $1 bet, Mass 3 has a $500 top prize for matching all three numbers in exact order, while Mass 4 has a $5,000 top prize for matching all four numbers in exact order.

The Wicked Bonus is an optional add-on that doubles the cost of the bet. For each game, a Wicked Bonus number is drawn from 0-9, and it can replace any of the initially drawn numbers to make new combinations. If a player matches any of the new winning Wicked Bonus combinations, they will win a Wicked Bonus prize in addition to any other game winnings.

Mass 3 and Mass 4 drawings take place once per day at 10:00 p.m. EST. The minimum ticket price is 50 cents.

"Since selling our first ticket in 1972, the Mass Lottery has become one of the top performing lotteries in the world thanks to our exciting portfolio of games, attractive prize payouts, innovative business and marketing strategies, and of course, our dedicated retail partners and loyal player base," Lottery Executive Director Mark William Bracken said. "In creating Mass Lottery Online, we took a similar approach that gives our players new play experiences with the same standards they have grown to expect, wherever in Massachusetts they find themselves to be."

The Lottery plans on adding a new eInstant game every two weeks and new digital games later this year, including virtual horse racing.

Certain games are still only available in-person at physical retailers: Keno, The Numbers Game, and The Wheel of Luck.

"The Mass Lottery's commitment to the dedicated retail partners who have played such an important role in our success remains as strong as ever," Bracken added. "While our mission has expanded, our retail sales operation will continue to serve as an essential source of unrestricted local aid for cities and towns."

When players first create their online accounts, they will be alerted to an option that allows them to set a desired deposit and play limit. Players who choose not to set a limit will be reminded of the option on a monthly basis. Limits can be adjusted at any time. Stricter limits take effect immediately, while limit increases take 48 hours to go into effect to help "prevent impulsive behavior," the Lottery advised.

The online platform will feature a session timer during game play and a pop-up message that will appear every 30 minutes of play. Cool-off periods that temporarily restrict deposits or placing a bet are optional, and players can choose to opt out of marketing communications from the Lottery for a set period, from 24 hours to up to six months.

Finally, players can choose to participate in a voluntary self-exclusion program called PlayBreak for one-, three-, or five-year periods, or opt in for a lifetime exclusion.

"The Massachusetts Gaming Commission is excited to partner with the Massachusetts State Lottery to offer the PlayBreak voluntary self-exclusion program to support iLottery patrons who may need a break from the platform," Massachusetts Gaming Commission Chair Jordan Maynard said in a statement. "PlayBreak is an important tool to help players manage their gambling and add a level of friction when it is needed."

Multi-factor authentication is required for a player's first login per day and every login on a new device to deter underage gambling. Players may only be signed into one device at a time, and all devices must be verified through a player's phone or email.

"The Lottery is committed to player wellness and responsible play, and we want our players to have tools and resources readily available for them to ensure that online game play remains an enjoyable experience," Bracken said.

Players must be physically located in the state of Massachusetts to play the Massachusetts Lottery online and must undergo identity verification at the time of registration.