Massachusetts Governor Maura Healey expressed her support for legalizing online sales of the state’s lottery during an interview with GBH’s “Boston Public Radio” on Friday. She stated that introducing the state-run games on digital platforms would level the playing field with sports betting, which is available both in-person and on mobile apps. The proposed iLottery, which is part of the House’s fiscal year 2024 budget, is expected to generate $200 million in revenue for early education and child care stabilization grants. The move to online sales has been a priority for Treasurer Deborah Goldberg, who has been seeking authorization to sell lottery products online for years. The House approved a similar change in an economic development bill last year, but the Senate did not take up the measure in negotiations.
The Connecticut Lottery Corporation has begun soliciting proposals from sports betting and daily fantasy sports operators to partner with the state for at least eight years, with the option to extend to 13 years. This comes after the CLC and Rush Street Interactive announced their plan to end their partnership last month. The successful proposer will provide the complete wagering platform for both online and retail channels, as well as risk management, customer service, marketing, player bonuses and promotions, and regulatory reporting for the online channel. The state has set a May 19 deadline for operators to submit their proposals, and a final decision is expected to be made in H2 FY2023. Betting operators with a relationship with a physical casino, including WynnBet, Bally Bet, BetMGM, and Caesars, are not eligible to submit proposals, while online betting sites like Fanatics, Barstool Sportsbook, bet365, and Betr could secure a partnership.
Ohio’s lottery director, Pat McDonald, resigned, citing medical reasons. McDonald had been serving the Ohio Lottery Commission for 16 years before being appointed as the director in 2019. Michelle Gillcrist, an aerospace and defense liaison and northeast Ohio regional liaison for DeWine’s office, has been appointed as the interim director.
Additionally, Gov. Mike DeWine office has announced an investigation into a series of complaints from the Ohio Lottery offices, citing “HR irregularities.” The investigation will be conducted by an independent firm and will delve into the allegations of personnel issues.