Massachusetts treasurer continues campaign to allow online lottery sales

Comment #18

dannyct — Wed, 19 Dec 2018 00:57:36 GMT

New Hampshire should use the UK Lottery as a model. The British National Lottery, which has over nine million online subscribers, raises billions of pounds for projects across the UK. The Lottery also offers a direct debit payment option. Players can choose their games and numbers and pay monthly by direct debit. Also, small prizes are automatically credited to the same account.

Comment #17

bobby623 — Tue, 11 Dec 2018 20:16:37 GMT

I don't know the situation in other states but there are very few so called 'mom and pop stores' in my town.

Large corporations own and operate the convenience stores.

I doubt the few non-corporate stores sell that many lottery products.

Besides, on-line lottery sales probably won't ever happen in Texas.

We have a lottery commission but the governor decides everything.

He shot down sports betting; took away the bonuses stores got for selling jackpot tickets and would probably get... [ More ]

Comment #16

Bleudog101 — Tue, 11 Dec 2018 19:32:10 GMT

All excellent points, Stack47.

With the advent of a few states offering sports betting this year, do you anticipate revocation/modification of that 1961 prohibiting interstate lottery ticket purchases? Ironically when that law was written there were only a handful of state lotteries if I'm not mistake. Personally I'd like to be able to purchase tickets from other states sans subscription services.

Comment #15

Stack47 — Tue, 11 Dec 2018 18:39:53 GMT

There are several ways to fund a KY Lottery account but you need a bank account to withdraw your winnings or can request a check be mailed to your address on file. It really isn't much different than an Online horse racing account.

Comment #14

Stack47 — Tue, 11 Dec 2018 18:26:12 GMT

Online gambling started almost 30 years ago and is played all over the world. In 2006 Congress passed the Unlawful Internet Gambling Act that basically prevented elderly U.S. residence from playing penny bingo and chatting with others Online. But it wasn't until 2011 when the Feds shut down Internet Poker. As of today states control Online gambling within their borders.

Some states legislated legal Online casino type gambling, poker, and some added Online lottery play. Is there a real differ... [ More ]

Comment #13

Genome — Tue, 11 Dec 2018 17:21:28 GMT

Massachusetts resident here. Even if they did do start doing online sales, I would probably still go to the store to buy the draw tickets with cash. Its just what I am used to and I like having the actual ticket in my hand. I live in a city with a lot of places within walking distance of my house. I might buy online tickets if it was snowing or raining hard out though.

Comment #12

Bleudog101 — Tue, 11 Dec 2018 17:15:17 GMT

The few winnings I had on Keno, which were small, the winnings were directly added to my KY lottery account, not my checking account. They don't even have my account #. Did you notice those new MM/PB gift card looking things @ Kroger? They get paid to you via Paypal. Too much work on my part so not even going to attempt it even though right now they have a BOGO sale going on.

Comment #11

Stack47 — Tue, 11 Dec 2018 17:00:41 GMT

I was talking about a couple places set up for Keno play that are not opened 21 hours a day. Don't know how much time the average Keno players spends playing, but it's much easier playing Online. It takes a couple days to collect your winnings but it's deposted directly into you bank account.

Comment #10

Bleudog101 — Tue, 11 Dec 2018 10:47:56 GMT

Stack47: You can play Keno on-line. Don't you mean closed 0200-0500? IDK if you can do Keno during those times or not, and don't like the game. Also don't forget their version of scratch tickets are available on-line too

Comment #9

music* — Tue, 11 Dec 2018 07:55:08 GMT

Calling all Lottery Post Members: Let us win this week! Place your State on the map

Comment #8

Tucker Black — Tue, 11 Dec 2018 06:41:17 GMT

Online gambling is a horrible idea. It doesn't matter what it is... the state lottery, sports betting, video poker, blackjack, anything... horrible idea, no one should never do it.

Gambling can be addictive enough as it is. I don't have a problem with gambling in general. I do it myself all the time. But when you make it so convenient that you can gamble with your smart phone (which actually makes you stupid; recent news on that one), this is very bad. Stupid and addictive people will gamble... [ More ]

Comment #7

Stack47 — Tue, 11 Dec 2018 02:27:19 GMT

I'm not exactly sure what the national average is, but based on the KY Lottery financial reports I saw, scratch-off sales are around 64% of lottery revenue. So at best, KY Online sales could only effect retailer's MM, PB, Lucky for Life, and Cash Ball 225 sales. As for Keno, players don't want to chance being shut out while a convenient store clerk is gabbing with someone or can't insert a play slip or cash and replay tickets. There are a couple places that are set up for Keno play, but none are... [ More ]

Comment #6

oate — Mon, 10 Dec 2018 21:34:34 GMT

I'd hope that Massachusetts had ways of raising revenue that didn't exacerbate addictive activities like gambling, but I guess that would require the thoughtful, difficult work of tax reform.

Sad but true! When a state starts running out of money the first thing it does is put pressure on its lottery officials to increase sales, rather than find ways to reduce wasteful gov't spending. I hope we don't get to the point where playing the lottery is mandatory, LOL.

Comment #5

bobby623 — Mon, 10 Dec 2018 18:31:40 GMT

I think some lottery official should stress that on-line sales are limited to the 'draw' games, not the scratch tickets.

Here in my part of West Texas, you can always spot several folks sitting in their vehicles scratching away, sometimes without closing the door!

Texas lottery officials are always bragging about multi-million dollar monthly sales driven by scratch tickets.

Of course, billion-dollar jackpot games attract everyone with a couple of dollars in their pocket.

The clerks a... [ More ]

Comment #4

music* — Mon, 10 Dec 2018 17:08:14 GMT

Bleudog101, I figure that the Grocery stores want the extra customers with the gift cards.

Here in CA gift cards do not expire. State Law ensures that.

The elderly and shut-ins will love online lottery purchases. Convenience rules.

Comment #3

Bleudog101 — Mon, 10 Dec 2018 16:44:11 GMT

Music*, I can only vouch for what I've seen in KY. I love the convenience of clicking and buying @ home, but I still like to go with big blue for in store purchases.

KY does not allow on-line purchasing of Pick 3 Pick 4 so the retailer doesn't get cut out.

I still root for my home state of Massachusetts that they get on-line purchases. Millenials will demand it otherwise they see sales drop.

In KY and noticed in GA that you can buy MM and or PB what looks like gift cards @ one groc... [ More ]

Comment #2

CDanaT — Mon, 10 Dec 2018 16:28:34 GMT

Tough call on this one. I do understand the treasurer's POV by giving the lottery players an alternative method to purchase. Especially the ones I refer to as the *ICEWOMPAA kids. You know the type.. Can't open a can of Soup without an app.

I will offer a bit of opposition to her opinion of Done right, an online lottery will help them . If I can get something on line, then I do not necessarily go to the store. I do have 2 small rural community stores that I purchase my tickets at. I don't pur... [ More ]

Comment #1

music* — Mon, 10 Dec 2018 15:47:27 GMT

I believe that when this becomes law the retailers will treat lottery customers with more respect. The players will be cherished.

I desire a study of the 11 States which offer online purchases. Find out if I am correct about retailers and their customers. My educated guess is that the majority of retailers are very grateful for the business that players bring into their stores.

Massachusetts treasurer continues campaign to allow online lottery sales

Lottery Post — Mon, 10 Dec 2018 15:10:26 GMT

Massachusetts Treasurer Deb Goldberg continued her campaign to allow the state's lottery to sell tickets online. She told a budget panel that Lottery sales have begun to drop, citing the record $1.035 billion it generated in 2017 and the drop to $997 million in fiscal 2018.

Of the 44 states with lotteries, 11 of them now offer online purchases. New Hampshire started selling online in September and in just 12 weeks, the state posted over $1.3 million in net gaming revenue from online sales alo... [ More ]