Massachusetts residents looking forward to the state’s online lottery will need to wait longer. Officials confirmed the launch has been pushed to April 2026. Originally, the digital platform was set to debut in 2025. This news was shared last week by Massachusetts Treasurer Deb Goldberg at the Greater Boston Chamber of Commerce. Goldberg also adjusted the initial revenue projections for the iLottery’s first year.
iLottery Faces New Challenges
In July, the Massachusetts legislature approved the online lottery. It was part of the state’s budget, with plans for a late 2025 launch. At the time, officials projected that iLottery could generate $100 million in profit during its first year. Now, Goldberg expects the figure to be closer to $70 million, a 30% decrease. The revenue will go toward early childhood education and grants.
Despite the lowered expectations, the future outlook remains positive. The online lottery sales are expected to grow in time. By year three, estimates suggest $180 million in earnings, reaching $230 million by year five. By year ten, revenue could hit $380 million.
Funding Delays Lead to Launch Setback
The delay is due to a lack of funding. The Massachusetts Lottery has not yet received the $2.5 million needed to start the platform. This funding was included in the fiscal year 2024 budget, signed by Governor Maura Healey. Without it, the lottery cannot move forward with vendor negotiations and other preparations.
Massachusetts Lottery Director Mark William Bracken explained that the delay is tied to the funding issue. “We’re waiting for the House and Senate to finalize the FY 2024 budget closeout. Once that happens, we can begin our work.” He noted that the 16-month timeline for the iLottery launch begins once the funds are released. He expects this to happen between November and January.
With the funding, the lottery can proceed with its preparations. Although Bracken aims for an April 2026 launch, it could be slightly earlier if everything goes smoothly. He plans to provide a more accurate timeline next year.
How Massachusetts Compares to Other States
The 16-month preparation period for the Massachusetts iLottery is not unusual. Rollout processes vary across states. Virginia launched its online lottery within months of approval due to an existing app, allowing for a faster process. Pennsylvania launched its iLottery seven months after legalizing it in 2017.
Massachusetts’ timeline is similar to New Hampshire’s. New Hampshire legalized online lottery sales in 2017 and launched its platform 14 months later. Massachusetts’ slower pace reflects the challenges of building the infrastructure from scratch, as well as the delay in receiving funds.
Lengthy Delays Aren’t Uncommon
While Massachusetts’ 16-month timeline may feel long to some, other states have taken even longer to bring their online lotteries to fruition. Connecticut, for example, legalized iLottery services in 2021, but it took over three years to roll out the platform. The delay was due to technological challenges and complications with their vendor. Similarly, Illinois faced a lengthy delay due to legal hurdles, as it had to wait for federal approval to confirm the legality of online lottery sales. It finally launched its platform in 2012, three years after the legislative approval.
These examples show that while some states are able to move quickly, longer timelines are not uncommon when launching new online lottery services. As Massachusetts awaits its funding, it remains hopeful that the delayed launch will still meet or exceed expectations in the long run.