Michigan interested in online gambling

The list of US states interested in expanding lottery activities to the online environment just keeps growing, with Michigan the latest to seek expert proposals for the ““development, implementation, operational support and maintenance of an iLottery System and iLottery Games.”

The state lottery is interested in taking its existing games offering, which includes keno and instant-win scratchcard games, along with lottery facilities into the Internet and mobile sectors.

The comprehensive “Request for Proposal” includes the introduction: “The Michigan Bureau of State Lottery is planning to offer its existing array of lottery games (e.g. Instants, Keno, etc.) through modern digital channels of distribution in order to capture new revenues while increasing social responsibility standards and enhancing retail partnerships.

“The Lottery is issuing this Request for Proposals to invite interested parties to submit proposals for the development, implementation, operational support, and maintenance of a Michigan Lottery iLottery System and the development and integration of digital versions of existing lottery games.

“The Lottery envisions iLottery to be rolled out broadly into various digital distribution channels (e.g. web, mobile app, mobile web, tablet, social, etc.) in order to maximize consumer participation, convenience and satisfaction.”

The document details the need for effective geo-location, age and ID verification technology, along with responsible gambling precautions that include player spending limits.

The state government is hopeful that going online will boost tax revenues by up to $118 million over the first 4 years, rising to $361 million in the following four years. The Michigan School Aid Fund is to receive the bulk of these additional revenues.

http://www.michigan.gov/documents/lottery/MSL_iLottery_RFP_1-8-2013_407641_7.pdf