A majority of Massachusetts residents believe the state lottery should not expand over the internet, according to the results of a new survey.
A survey conducted by Save Our Neighborhood Coalition claims that at least 80 percent of respondents are opposed to the plan of creating online lottery games.
News 22 reported that most of the respondents opposing the online lottery expansion voiced concerns that minors will possibly gamble illegally, that their banking information could be stolen, and gambling addictions could become worse.
Ninety percent are against the plan for people to pay for online lottery games with credit cards or electronic transfers. Between traditional lottery ticket sales, the the Plainridge Park slots parlor, and in-development casinos like MGM Springfield, the majority of respondents say the Massachusetts gambling system is already over saturated.
The Coalition claimed online gambling could threaten more than 7,500 local businesses that serve as lottery outlets. If gambling could be done at home, fewer people would be supporting these stores.
The Retailers Association of Massachusetts said the state has the most successful lottery in the country, but scratch-ticket sales showed a year-over-year decline in December.
The state lottery is seeking a nod from the legislature to allow the sale of scratch tickets, draw games, and Keno over the internet to ensure its survival and to preserve the source of funds going to local aid.
“As the apolitical and independent comptroller of Massachusetts, I have to tell you that that’s enormously disturbing to me, from the standpoint that you have the most successful lottery in the nation, and what you’re really doing is not only kneecapping it from the standpoint of not allowing it to participate in any kind of online way, but also you’re literally, as the treasurer said, handing the keys over to private industry,” said Comptroller Thomas Shack, a member of the Lottery Commission.
