Maryland Lottery going online

Soon Maryland residents won’t have to go to the gas station or convenience store to buy lottery tickets, NBC Washington reported this week, explaining that the state lottery is planning to introduce an online ticket and gaming system by 2013.

Officials told the broadcaster the different games and drawings that will be included in the online initiative could increase the lottery’s revenue by $2.5 million.

Studies say that Maryland residents currently buy fewer tickets than in other states.  In a survey, only 50 percent of residents said they bought a ticket in the past year, while in other mid-Atlantic states, 70 percent said they played at least once in the past 12 months.

The project may mean more convenience for players, but opposition has been encountered from traditional retail ticket sellers, who claim that online sales could drive much needed business away from their stores.

The online system will cost about $500,000 to set up.

Maryland Lottery has been making a big push into the internet recently.  In January, it launched a new mobile site, where customers can check on winning numbers.

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