Massachusetts iLottery Raises Concerns For Problem Gamblers

Massachusetts Governor Maura Healey signed legislation allowing the online sale of lottery tickets in the Bay State, and the new iLottery platform is already raising concerns for problem gamblers.

A Massachusetts problem gambler believes the iLottery opens the door for compulsive gambling

In a recent interview with Western Mass News, Antonio Basile told the newsroom that a problem gambler with access to the lottery and other betting apps on their phone is only going to worsen the gambling addiction.

“As somebody who self admittedly has a problem gambling over the last decade plus with the legalization of sports betting and the now iLottery coming into place, it just feels like it’s more at people’s fingers than it ever was before,” Basile said.

Basile, who lives in Chicopee, is against the new law that allows the Massachusetts State Lottery to sell tickets online. While iLottery has yet to launch, he already sent a letter full of concerns to the Massachusetts Gaming Commission.

“I understand how you win please tell me how we win,” he asked. “The casino is going to be right here,” he said, holding up his phone. “And that’s the scary part. You can be home on a Saturday afternoon, just put money into an account and dwindle, dwindle, dwindle by hitting a button multiple times.”

Legalizing online lottery sales comes just over a year after Massachusetts launched mobile sports betting. Basile fears the next generation of gamblers are the ones who will suffer the most as they reach adulthood.

According to Massachusetts law, residents must be at least 21 years old to participate in iLottery activities. The new age requirement will “not carry over” into brick-and-mortar stores, the Lottery said.

“Kids with video games and all these, you know, packs you buy or whatever, it’s almost like they’re preparing for gambling at such a young age with the industry blowing up so fast,” Basile added.

Basile says younger problem gamblers are less likely to call 1-800 numbers for help compared to older generations

Furthermore, he believes problem gambling organizations and help lines are not doing enough to instill responsible gambling. He says calling 1-800 numbers for help is inadequate for younger generations.

“I think that it’s such an archaic way of trying to [help]. It’s putting a band-aid on something. People don’t call or write letters anymore,” he said.

Nevertheless, Basile shared ways he has been able to cope with his own problem gambling.

“I watch people on YouTube, for example who have the same issue that I’m battling to listen to them. What advice do they have just for the modern generation, a new way to communicate?”

The new lottery platform is expected to drive an additional estimated $100 million in revenue.

The Massachusetts State Lottery returned a record $1.176 billion last year in profit out of total sales revenue of $6.131 billion. The proceeds went to the local towns and cities.

Both the MA Lottery app and Mass Lottery website were built with the capacity to accommodate iLottery. Massachusetts Legislature expects iLottery to include around 350,000 existing authenticated players.

The entire lottery staff is also undergoing further “responsible gambling” training from the Massachusetts Council on Gaming and Health. The iLottery platform will have a self-exclusion list as well, similar to casinos, that can block players from placing bets online.