Massachusetts lawmakers hear testimony on proposed online lottery activity

The Massachusetts Legislature’s Joint Committee on Consumer Protection and Professional Licensure heard testimony in Boston this week on two bills proposed by state Senators Jennifer Flanagan and Michael Rush that would respectively permit the state lottery to run internet lottery programs and operate a website offering online skill games, including fantasy sports and poker.

A third bill authored by State Treasurer Deb Goldberg seeking to create an online lottery pilot program was also included on the agenda.

Lottery consultants gave testimony in support of the proposals, describing them as necessary if the lottery was to progress successfully in the future, but predictably the convenience store lobby strongly opposed the measures, on grounds that they would pull customers away from their shops, where ticket sales often bring buyers in and result in sales of additional goods.

“If people have the option to sit at home at their computers, you’re not going to come to my store and you’re not going to buy a coffee and you’re not going to buy a candy bar and you’re not going to buy a newspaper,” store owner Dennis Lane complained.

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