Massachusetts retailers resist Lottery's push for online sales

Comment #14

Stack47 — Fri, 12 Jul 2019 19:50:34 GMT

Online horse racing is basically the same as off track betting. Instead of going to a track or a betting parlor, people can play from any where using any device with an Internet connection. And it's legal in Mass.

Comment #13

Bleudog101 — Thu, 11 Jul 2019 20:19:27 GMT

No mention of any on-line horse racing betting @ Encore or MGM. I didn't pay attention the two times visiting Plainridge, though suspect you can only bet on their track the few months/year it is open.

Comment #12

Bleudog101 — Thu, 11 Jul 2019 20:13:26 GMT

Some months ago had trouble getting my KY winnings---$500 to withdraw from my account. Was on the phone with IGT in Cranston, RI; and she transferred me to some company in Chicago. It finally went through after about four days.

As for on-line horse racing wagering in MA I'd say an unqualified NO. As of this writing only checked with Plainridge Casino near Gillette Stadium. There you can bet on the horses. That is the last place for horse racing in MA; Harness racing in Foxborough, MA 3 d... [ More ]

Comment #11

Stack47 — Thu, 11 Jul 2019 19:35:52 GMT

Just for a follow-up on Online lotteries, I withdrew funds from my Kentucky Lottery account Tuesday evening and the funds were in my bank account this morning.

And a related question; does Mass currently have Online horse racing wagering

Comment #10

Stack47 — Tue, 09 Jul 2019 18:55:34 GMT

And you're correct about any withdrawals going directly to your bank account including winnings over $600.

Comment #9

Bleudog101 — Tue, 09 Jul 2019 12:08:20 GMT

Their contact page on MA treasury will not allow the state default to be changed from Massachusetts.

So I put a comment on their FB page for all to see in the Treasury Dept about on-line purchases.

Will anything come of this....seriously? I've got a bridge for sale if you believe a reply is coming from them.

Comment #8

Bleudog101 — Tue, 09 Jul 2019 11:58:00 GMT

Kicking an old horse here again. Remember I wrote a letter to Deborah Goldberg who is progressive in her thinking. Told her in KY, one of five states mentioned above that we can buy MOST products on-line. To satisfy the retailers, Pick 3 and Pick 4 can only be purchased brick and mortar. Also the instant tickets are different than those bought in the stores.

So we can play PB, MM, Lucky 4 Life, Cashball 225 and Keno on-line.

Problem with my home state, they can be a stubborn bun... [ More ]

Comment #7

cottoneyedjoe — Tue, 09 Jul 2019 08:16:10 GMT

If you buy a ticket online with a debit from your bank account, then I assume any winnings are paid by direct deposit to your bank account? If that's the case then I can see exactly why Mass retailers are mad -- they won't be able to scam online players out of their prizes! Aw, poor babies.

Comment #6

Stack47 — Tue, 09 Jul 2019 04:53:30 GMT

According to the National Conference of State Legislatures, at least five other states Kentucky, Illinois, Georgia, Michigan and New Hampshire have authorized their lotteries to sell at least some products on the internet.

Wonder exactly how many and why Mass retailers are resisting Online lottery sales unless of course it's because the lottery will offer all games Online. But considering 67.7% of all Mass Lottery sales are scratch-off/instant tickets with another 6.1% in number games sales,... [ More ]

Comment #5

Coin Toss — Mon, 08 Jul 2019 21:48:47 GMT

Lottery tickets aren't the only things that retailers sell, duh.

As with any business the idea is to get people to come into the store.

Comment #4

Stack47 — Mon, 08 Jul 2019 21:06:05 GMT

Retailers only make 5% of lottery sales so it's not like they'll be losing lots of money. Besides most of the states that have Online wagering don't offer pick-3 and pick-4 games and those games coupled with scratch-offs probably make the balk of store lottery sales.

Oh and if your state offers 4 minute Keno, playing Online as opposed to at most stores is a no-brainer.

Comment #3

jjtheprince14 — Mon, 08 Jul 2019 18:47:07 GMT

Online sales would be awesome! Retailers make it so hard to buy tickets around here.

Comment #2

bigbuckswede — Mon, 08 Jul 2019 17:58:04 GMT

Are you saying that Mass has gotten this new thing called internet now

Comment #1

music* — Mon, 08 Jul 2019 14:35:40 GMT

They are talking about progress and that is good.

Massachusetts retailers resist Lottery's push for online sales

Lottery Post — Mon, 08 Jul 2019 12:57:41 GMT

The Massachusetts Lottery's technological systems are on par with an old, wall-mounted rotary phone outdated and inconvenient, but it still works while customers increasingly expect to be linked to the world through a smartphone at all times, the agency's executive director told lawmakers last week.

Holding up a large, black rotary phone, Executive Director Michael Sweeney made his latest pitch to lawmakers to allow the Mass. Lottery to offer its current products scratch tickets, draw games,... [ More ]