Better late than never could be the theme of the Massachusetts fiscal year 2025 budget. Lawmakers have bickered over a small portion of the $58 billion budget for weeks. But now, they’ve finally agreed on a compromise to be sent to the governor for approval or disapproval.
The proposed budget, which has already passed in the State House and Senate chambers, would solve the budget crisis at the eleventh hour. It could also legalize an online Massachusetts lottery — something advocates have been awaiting for years.
Proposed Massachusetts budget includes legal online lottery
Under the terms of the budget proposal, which hinged on about half a dozen lawmakers compromising, the Massachusetts State Lottery Commission would be permitted to sell its products online. All that remains now is a signature on the bill from Gov. Healey.
Massachusetts State Treasurer Deborah Goldberg said:
“We are prepared to implement a safe and reliable iLottery that will produce significant resources for critical childcare services, which are so desperately needed across the state.”
Experts have predicted that as much as $100 million could be earned in tax revenue as a result of taking the MA State Lottery online. However, critics have warned that online sales would siphon tax revenue from the retail lottery.
Governor Healey expected to sign Massachusetts FY2025 budget deal
Gov. Maura Healey is expected to sign the Massachusetts FY 2025 budget compromise, which contains other budget carrots that satisfy the appetite of many legislators and interest groups. Those items include $117.5 million in free community college tuition for in-state students and free bus fare in the commonwealth. The budget deal also permits the Massachusetts Lottery to begin online sales.
An online lottery would make state lottery products more accessible than ever, making the need for appropriate responsible gambling measures equally paramount.
Lawmakers eager for an iLottery made concessions to mollify colleagues concerned with gambling addiction. In a radio interview last week, Senate President Karen Spilka said:
“We were able to negotiate what we believe are better protections in iLottery. We raised the age of those that could participate from 18 to 21 [years]. We prohibited predatory advertising against minors and got other controls through negotiation so we felt more comfortable with it this time.”
Healey’s proposed gambling addiction budget cuts get cut
Gov. Healey suggested adding a legal online Massachusetts lottery earlier this year in her original FY2025 budget proposal. Additionally, she revealed her desire to cut funding for responsible gambling research.
Thanks to the House and Senate, the current budget deal allocates up to $1 million to “Gamblers’ Treatment”. And while that’s still a mere drop in the pond compared to the over $212.6 million headed to “Substance Abuse Treatment,” these funds are to come from unclaimed prize money within the State Lottery and Gaming Fund. Meanwhile, gambling research is not explicitly mentioned in the budget.
Gov. Healey has less than 10 days remaining to review the budget and provide any vetoes or amendments. This year’s formal sessions are scheduled to conclude on July 31, however, leaving increasingly less time for any final adjustments to be made.
Massachusetts Lottery says it’s already prepared for safe expansion
With the prospects of an online lottery appearing likely, some are already taking a victory lap. Following the budget compromise announcement, Massachusetts Lottery Executive Director Mark William Bracken commented:
“Our team is excited to implement an online Lottery. We are ready and prepared to offer our players a modern lottery experience in a safe and accessible environment.”
The Massachusetts lottery is a glimmering success story that brings in $1 billion annually for local communities. It was started in 1971, and has generated more than $32 billion for the commonwealth during its five decades in operation. What’s more is that more than half of Massachusetts residents support online lottery legalization.
Thus, an online lottery would be the next natural progression for this established Massachusetts agency.
