The Massachusetts State Lottery was established by the legislature in 1971, in response to the need for revenues for the 351 cities and towns of the Commonwealth.
The Lottery began with sales of tickets for its original weekly drawing called “The Game”in March 1972. Then in May 1974, Massachusetts introduced a game that would revolutionize the lottery industry in the United States. The “Instant Game” was the first “scratch” ticket, with a top instant prize of $10,000. There were also three monthly drawings in the “Instant Game”, for $100,000 and $1,000 a year for life.
Today, the Lottery introduces 24-28 new instant games each year and is a national leader in sales.
The Lottery also offers a variety of on-line, or computerized, games including: The Numbers Game, Megabucks, Mass Cash, CASH WinFall, KENO, and the multi-state Mega Millions game.
To provide an operating structure for the Lottery, the Legislature established a five-member commission that includes the State Treasurer as Chairperson, the Secretary of Public Safety, the State Comptroller, and two gubernatorial appointees.
The Commissioners oversee and provide final approval of the types of games, the consumer prices of games, the prize structure of games, the methods of prize payment, and the licensing of agents.
The Lottery Commission meets on a regular basis to discuss all Lottery operations.

Massachusetts Lottery Profits Soar to $903 million
New Games, Belt-Tightening Drive Profits Up More Than Five Percent
BRAINTREE, Massachusetts (August 5, 2010) - Under the leadership of Treasurer Timothy P. Cahill, the Massachusetts State Lottery exceeded all expectations for Fiscal 2010 by posting profits of more than $903 million, an impressive jump of $44 million, or 5.1 percent, from Fiscal 2009......Subscribers

Betware Pitches Online Lottery for Massachusetts
BRAINTREE, Massachusetts (July 13, 2010) - As New Hampshire considers launching online lottery games, an Icelandic company is pushing a proposal to bring Internet gambling to the Massachusetts State Lottery.....Subscribers

Gambling Foes Seek Panel To Assess Costs from Expanded Gambling
They Also Suggest A Veto By Governor
BOSTON, Massachusetts (July 9, 2010) – According to local media reports gambling opponents called on Governor Deval Patrick yesterday to immediately name a commission to examine the costs they say are likely from expanded gambling or to veto landmark legislation expected to reach his desk this month..............Subscribers

Rhode Island Gaming Company Refiles Lottery Suit
BOSTON, Massachusetts (July 10, 2010) – Reports that a Rhode Island gaming firm is headed back to court to pursue its contention that state Treasurer Timothy P. Cahill rigged lottery contracts in exchange for campaign funds, a move that could reignite a troublesome controversy for his flagging campaign for governor................Subscribers

Senate Passes Casino Bill  25-15
DUXBURY, Massachusetts (July 5, 2010) – reported today that the Senate last Thursday with a 25-15 vote passed gaming legislation authorizing three resort casinos in separate geographic locations around the state.....Subscribers

Lottery Figures Reveal 'Luckiest' Stores
BOSTON, Massachusetts (July 1, 2010) - Lottery customers know you've got to play to win. Some have superstitions. Some always play the same numbers. And some think there are lucky stores...............Subscribers

Selectmen Approve Sale of Keno Cards at Lexington Store
LEXINGTON, Massachusetts (July 1, 2010) -- While the state Senate continues to debate expanded gambling proposals, Gate-House News Service reports the Board of Selectmen recently voted to allow a new form of gambling in Lexington................Subscribers

Banks Start Gambling Oversight; New Online Gambling Rules Went Into Effect Yesterday
Must Now Block Customer Transactions For Illegal Online Betting
BOSTON, Massachusetts (June 1, 2010) –Massachusetts banks think they’re holding a losing hand when it comes to new online gambling rules that went into effect yesterday....................Subscribers

Massachusetts Lottery General Counsel To Run New Hampshire’s Lottery
BRAINTREE, Massachusetts (May 27, 2010) -The general counsel at the Massachusetts State Lottery has accepted a job to run New Hampshire’s lottery system................Subscribers

Frivolous, Partisan Attacks on Massachusetts Lottery Unfounded
Article to The Herald News By Mark Cavanagh, Executive Director of the Massachusetts State Lottery Commission
BOSTON, Massachusetts (May 14, 2010) -- The negative ads against the Massachusetts State Lottery sullying the air waves are gross misstatements of facts and affronts to reality that demand to be corrected..........Subscribers

Clerks Busted In Undercover Lottery Sting
BOSTON, Massachusetts (May 12, 2010) - Chief Correspondent Joe Shortsleeve went along as state lottery investigators put their own agents to the test, to determine how hard it actually is to purchase Lottery products for minors............Subscribers

State Lottery Commissioner Blasts Anti-Cahill Ads
BOSTON, Massachusetts (May 3, 2010) – Reports that State Lottery Commissioner Derek Davis demanded this morning that a political group take down a “reprehensible” ad depicting State Treasurer and Independent gubernatorial candidate Tim Cahill as fiscally reckless.................Subscribers

State Lottery on Track to Make Nearly $50 Million More Than Projected
BRAINTREE, Massachusetts (April 30, 2010) -- As reported today that Massachusetts Lottery officials disclosed on Thursday that the Lottery’s profits are far exceeding their initial expectations, and are on track to generate nearly $50 million more than the Legislature originally projected once the state’s fiscal year ends on June 30......................Subscribers

Massachusetts Lottery To Show $49m Surplus in FY10
BOSTON, Massachusetts (April 29, 2010) - The Massachusetts Lottery in on track to end the fiscal year with $897 million in revenues -- about $49 million over earlier projections......................Subscribers

Treasurer Says States Lottery Renovations Justified
BOSTON, Massachusetts (April 27, 2010) - Treasurer Tim Cahill says the negative ads that are being run against him by the Republican Governors Association include "distortions" and "falsehoods," ...........................Subscribers

Vote Delayed on Bid to Sell ‘Keno-to-Go’ at New BJ Store
Wholesale club wants to sell ‘Keno-to-Go’ tickets at store
QUINCY, Massachusetts (April 14, 2010) – According to local news sources Quincy’s license board looks primed to allow the lottery game KENO at the new BJ’s Wholesale Club on Crown Colony Drive in West Quincy............Subscribers

Lottery Sees Green in Monster Ticket
BOSTON, Massachusetts (March 31, 2010) -- The Boston Red Sox are swinging for the Green Monster with the launch of another Massachusetts State Lottery instant ticket........................Subscribers

Red Sox, Lottery Unveil New $10 Scratch Ticket
BOSTON, Massachusetts (March 30, 2010) -- The Boston Red Sox are pitching another Massachusetts State Lottery scratch ticket.....................Subscribers

Powerball Already Paying Big Dividends for Massachusetts
BOSTON, Massachusetts (March 6, 2010) -- Massachusetts and nine other Mega Millions states entered into a cross-selling agreement with Powerball on January 31, setting off a cascade of sales across the nation. Powerball sales in Massachusetts just last month were more than $5.7 million. Massachusetts Lottery players also won more than $1 million low tier Powerball in prizes.....................Subscribers

Gambling Lobbying Dollars Flooding Into State
BOSTON, Massachusetts (February 28, 2010) -- The amount spent by firms, unions and interest groups hoping to influence the gambling debate has grown from just more than $800,000 in 2006 to more than $2 million in 2009.....................Subscribers

Multistate Lotteries Begin Cross-Selling Tickets
SEEKONK, Massachusetts (February 23, 2010) -- Rhode Island and Massachusetts, along with other former competitors across the country, are in the lottery business together, local news reported on the current state of affairs with the commencement of Cross Selling...................Subscribers

Group Files Lawsuit Against Lottery Commission, Wants Agencies to be Handicapped-Accessible
Lottery Agents Fear Financial Hardship if Made to Perform Costly Reconfigurations to Their Stores in Order to Make Lottery Games More Accessible to People With Disabilities
FITCHBURG, Massachusetts (February 19, 2010) -- According to a local media report the Massachusetts State Lottery Commission recently circulated a letter to its Lottery agents informing them of a handicapped-accessibility survey it will be conducting after a group filed a lawsuit against the commission.........................Subscribers

Treasurer Tim Cahill Gives Lawmakers An Optimistic Forecast For The State Lottery
BOSTON, Massachusetts (February 17, 2010) -- Treasurer and gubernatorial candidate Tim Cahill gave lawmakers an optimistic forecast for the state lottery yesterday while urging state budget writers to consider rolling back the sales tax to 5 percent............................Subscribers

Judge Dismisses Lawsuit Against State Lottery Director and State Treasurer
LYNN, Massachusetts (January 13, 2010) - State Lottery Director Mark Cavanagh and state Treasurer Timothy Cahill have won a bid to remove themselves from a legal battle between the Lottery and a Rhode Island gaming software firm................Subscribers

Lottery Drawn Into Lawsuit; Named As Defendant
BOSTON, Massachusetts (January 9, 2010) – The reports that Private lawyers representing state Treasurer Timothy P. Cahill and Mark J. Cavanagh, the state lottery director, have argued successfully to US District Court Judge Joseph Tauro that the Massachusetts Lottery should also be named in the bid-rigging suit brought against the two men by Bingo Innovative Software..................Subscribers

Massachusetts Lawmaker Proposes "Snow Bank" Lottery Game
WORCESTER, Massachusetts (December 31, 2009) – State Representative John Binienda of Worcester has filed a bill that would allow the law to be changed so that a separate fund could be established to assist Massachusetts cities and towns with their winter storm budget...................Subscribers

Treasurer Cahill Says Federal Lawsuit Accusing Him of Lottery Bid-Rigging is a Smear Campaign
BOSTON, Massachusetts (December 18, 2009) – According to local media reports Massachusetts Treasurer Tim Cahill is racking up the legal fees as he builds his defense in a lawsuit accusing him of bid-rigging.....................Subscribers

Lottery Revenues To Come In Higher
BOSTON, Massachusetts (December 17, 2009) - Some tax collection figures and state lottery revenues will come in higher than projected in the current fiscal year that ends in June...................Subscribers

Lottery Claims $222 Million Loss From $8 Million Ad Budget Cut
BOSTON, Massachusetts (December 13, 2009) – It was reported today that a fresh fiscal policy rift has opened between political rivals Governor Deval Patrick and Treasurer Timothy Cahill over claims that an $8 million reduction in the State Lottery Commission’s advertising budget will result in a $222 million drop in revenues.............................Subscribers

Executive Director of Massachusetts State Lottery Commission Sets the Record Straight
MARSHFIELD LETTER: Lottery has Been Good for Marshfield
Marshfield - To the Editor:
MARSHFIELD, Massachusetts (December 9, 2009) - The Massachusetts State Lottery has been a vital source of revenue for local communities from its inception, with Bay State taxpayers receiving more than $6.3 billion in aid since 2003. In fact, under the leadership of Treasurer Timothy P. Cahill, the Lottery has sent $16,954,566 to the town of Marshfield alone. Just in the current fiscal year, Marshfield will receive $1,908,668 in Lottery aid to spend on police officers, firefighters, teachers or any other essential municipal service.............................Subscribers

Gubernatorial Candidates Snipe Over Lottery Projections
BOSTON, Massachusetts (December 11, 2009) – According to news sources a war of words - and numbers – has broken out in the governor’s race, as Governor Deval Patrick accused rival Tim Cahill of making “excuses” about the Lottery’s performance even as the state treasurer touted a better-than-expected financial forecast.......................Subscribers

Retailers Owe State Lottery Money
WALPOLE, Massachusetts (December 3, 2009) – Over 200 lottery agents owe the state $2.8 million in ticket sale proceeds..................Subscribers

Lottery Commission Approves Advertising Contract
BOSTON, Massachusetts (November 24, 2009) – News Service reported today that the Massachusetts State Lottery Commission, at its meeting on Tuesday, approved a $2 million contract.................Subscribers

Commission Triples Budget for Treasurer and Lottery Director’s Legal Defense
Empowers Director to Enter Into Any Agreements to Help Massachusetts Join the Multi-State Powerball Game
BOSTON, Massachusetts (November 24, 2009) – News Service reported today that the State Lottery Commission has voted to triple, to $900,000, its budget for the legal defense of Treasurer Tim Cahill and commissioner executive director Mark Cavanagh in a suit alleging that...................Subscribers

Lottery Agents Owe Millions; Over 200 Retailers Reportedly Delinquent on Payments
Closed lottery Agents Stores Owing State $1.9 million
LAKEVILLE, Massachusetts (November 20, 2009) - Businesses owe tens of thousands of dollars to the state Lottery Commission, but it may be tough to collect since nearly all of them are closed...........................Subscribers

Concern Over Gambling Council Funds Cut
BOSTON, Massachusetts (November 17, 2009) - Treasurer Timothy Cahill has voiced opposition to Governor Deval Patrick’s 50% cut in funding for the state agency that treats gambling addiction, telling Patrick aides last week it was “ill-conceived” to trim the program.................Subscribers

Proposal Would Ban Sale Of Lottery Tickets On Credit
BROOKLINE, Massachusetts (November 15, 2009) – State House representatives met at Becon Hill for the week of Nov. 9-13, to vote on several proposals. According to the news source amongst these proposals was the purchase of Lottery Tickets by Credit Card.....................Subscribers

Establishments Suspected of Stealing Lottery Winnings
LOWELL, Massachusetts (October 31, 2009) - A Lowell convenience store is among more than 30 establishments across the state suspected of stealing Lottery winnings from unsuspecting patrons...................Subscribers

First of Five Pairs of Tickets Won as Lottery Game Sells at Near Record Pace
Teacher wins Patriots Season Tickets for Life
BOSTON, Massachusetts (October 30, 2009) - A Malden school teacher and lifelong New England Patriots fan became the first Massachusetts Lottery player to win Season Tickets for Life after her name was selected from nearly 300,000 second chance drawing entries........................Subscribers

Massachusetts Lottery Running New Game Through Newspapers
CHICAGO, Illinois (October 29, 2009) – Reports indicate today that the Massachusetts Lottery is launching a new game on Sunday in newspapers across the state...................Subscribers

Bruins, Massachusetts State Lottery Announce Release of New Scratch Ticket
BRUINS, Massachusetts (October 19, 2009) -- Fans of the Black and Gold have the chance to scratch their way to season tickets and cash, now that the Bruins and the Massachusetts State Lottery announced the release of a new Bruins instant game......................Subscribers

Powerball Could Be Available In The Bay State As Soon As January
BOSTON, Massachusetts (October 10, 2009) – It was reported today that Treasurer Tim Cahill, has scored a Powerball bonanza that finally will give Bay State lottery players a chance to play the popular multimillion-dollar numbers game................Subscribers

Bruins Likely to Launch $5 Scratch Ticket
BOSTON, Massachusetts, USA (September 15, 2009) -- The Bruins and the Massachusetts State Lottery are discussing the launch of a $5 scratch ticket that would debut later this year according to lottery director Mark J. Cavanaugh.....................Subscribers

Limited Edition World Series ticket Raised Nearly $21 Million For Cities and Towns
BOSTON, Massachusetts (September 3, 2009) - The Boston Red Sox Limited Edition World Series instant ticket has culminated its record-setting run with the awarding of the final $1 million grand prize in the historic game from the Massachusetts State Lottery..................Subscribers

Lottery Unveils Patriots Instant Ticket
BOSTON, Massachusetts (August 11, 2009) - The Massachusetts State Lottery has just unveiled a $5 New England Patriots instant ticket............................Subscribers

Why Do Lottery Winners Never Collect Their Winnings?
SPRINGFIELD, Massachusetts (August 2, 2009) – According to news services as unlikely as it sounds, millions of dollars in lottery tickets go unclaimed in Massachusetts each year, a seemingly mystifying phenomenon that can be traced to a number of mundane factors, from poor eyesight to bad luck..................Subscribers

Federal Judge Rejects Treasurer’s Bid to Block Vendor’s Lawsuit
BOSTON, Massachusetts (July 28, 2009) – As reported today that a federal judge has rejected a request from state Treasurer Timothy P. Cahill to block a lawsuit brought by a Rhode Island gaming company........................Subscribers

Tax Hikes Tipped to Drive Down Lottery Sales
BOSTON, Massachusetts (July 6, 2009) -- Upcoming tax hikes on booze and other items will squeeze lottery purchases along Bay State border communities and hobble local aid to cities and towns..................Subscribers

Lottery Retailers Quit Due To Change in Payment Procedures
TRURO, Massachusetts (July 2, 2009) - A local shop in Truro has decided to stop selling lottery tickets due to a change in payment procedure by the Lottery Commission according to a report by local news source......................Subscribers

WFXT FOX 25 Interview with Treasurer Tim Cahill on the Relationship with the New England Patriots
BOSTON, Massachusetts (June 3, 2009): Interview conducted by WFXT FOX 25 and Transcribed by Lottery Insider Staff....................Subscribers

The Lottery and the New England Patriots Announce A Partnership To Develop A New Instant Ticket
BOSTON, Massachusetts (May 21, 2009) - The Massachusetts State Lottery and the New England Patriots announced today that they are developing the first licensed NFL instant ticket. The announcement comes just days after the NFL owners voted to allow teams to partner with lotteries throughout the country.......................Subscribers

Pollard Banknote Awarded Secondary Instant Ticket Contract With The Massachusetts Lottery
YPSILANTI, Michigan (May 22, 2009) -- Pollard Banknote was recently awarded a secondary contract with the Massachusetts Lottery to supply instant lottery tickets and related services. The three-year contract is scheduled to commence in July 2009, with two one-year extensions possible at the Lottery’s option...................Subscribers

Lottery Developing Patriots Scratch Ticket
BOSTON, Massachusetts (May 21, 2009) – On the heels of a $5 Red Sox Lottery scratch ticket, state officials and the New England Patriots are developing the first NFL instant ticket.......................Subscribers

Massachusetts Senate Considering a Plan to Cash in on Powerball Game
BOSTON, Massachusetts (May 20, 2009) -- The Massachusetts Senate is reported to be considering a plan to join the national Powerball multi-state lottery game as a way to generate an additional $25 million in state aid to cities and towns................Subscribers

Lottery Launches Megabucks Doubler
MASSACHUSETTS, USA (April 28, 2009 -- The Massachusetts State Lottery enters a new era on Saturday with the inaugural drawing for Megabucks Doubler, an exciting revamp of its oldest jackpot game. Designed in the image of Megabucks, the improved game will create much bigger jackpots and higher lower-tier prizes.........................Subscribers

Ethics Commission Closes File on Conflict of Interest Allegations Against Treasurer
BOSTON, Massachusetts (April 23, 2009) -- State ethics law enforcers have completed their review of conflict of interest allegations against Treasurer Tim Cahill and closed the case Local news sources reported today....................Subscribers

Early Reviews for Megabucks Makeover Have Been Favorable
SPRINGFIELD, Massachusetts (April 13, 2009) - Megabucks is getting a makeover. Starting May 2, the twice-weekly drawing will boost its payoffs - but lower the chance of winning them - in a bid to lift its sagging profile with the ticket-buying public.........................Subscribers

Lottery Looking to Attract Advertisers for Keno Monitors and Scratch Tickets
BOSTON, Massachusetts (April 3, 2009) -- The Massachusetts State Lottery Commission approved a contract yesterday that will pay the Fenway Sports Group $10,000 a month plus a percentage of whatever advertising revenue the sports-marketing spin-off of the Red Sox is able to attract for the lottery...............Subscribers

Lottery Commission Approves Funds to defend Treasurer and Lottery Director Against Lawsuit, Also Approves Lottery Makeover
BOSTON, Massachusetts (April 2, 2009) – The State Lottery Commission voted Thursday to pay up to $300,000 to defend Treasurer Tim Cahill and lottery executive director Mark Cavanagh against a bingo software company lawsuit...............Subscribers

Boston Celtics Announce Massachusetts State Lottery Returns as Presenting Sponsor of the Team’s Playoff Run
BOSTON, Massachusetts (March 23, 2009) - The Boston Celtics and the Massachusetts State Lottery announced a partnership that will make The Lottery presenting sponsor of the team's playoff run for a second consecutive season.............Subscribers

Plummeting Lottery Sales Impact Cities and Towns Funding
BOSTON, Massachusetts (March 24, 2009) – According to local media reports the state Lottery’s total revenue estimates have plummeted from $1.025 billion in October to..................Subscribers

Massachusetts Lottery Takes Gamble, Changes Megabucks Game
BOSTON, Massachusetts (March 20, 2009) – The Massachusetts Lottery plans to restructure its long-standing Megabucks game...................Subscribers

House Speaker Rejects Lottery Privatization
BOSTON, Massachusetts (March 4, 2009) -- Privatizing the state Lottery would prove a short-sighted solution to the system’s sagging revenues, House Speaker Robert DeLeo is reported to have said Tuesday....................Subscribers

Massachusetts Treasurer Proposes Privatizing State Lottery
BOSTON, Massachusetts (March 4, 2009) - Massachusetts Treasurer Tim Cahill proposed privatizing the state lottery and licensing thousands of gaming [slot] machines....................Subscribers

City Board Balking at Keno Lounges in Stores
NORWOOD, Massachusetts Feb 19, 2009 - In the face of recent requests to install Keno monitors in some convenience stores, selectmen are telling the state lottery they will object to any new requests unless there are restrictions prohibiting tables and chairs in those and similar establishments.................Subscribers

Lottery Agents See Switch to Less Expensive Scratch Tickets
ATTLEBORO, Massachusetts (February 18, 2009) – According to local media reports lottery agents say their regular customers are still buying scratch tickets but say they have shifted to buying the less expensive tickets...................Subscribers

Former Lottery Worker Settles Discrimination Lawsuit
SPRINGFIELD, Massachusetts (January 22, 2009)  - A former regional manager terminated three years ago by the State Lottery Commission has settled a discrimination lawsuit, agreeing to accept a new job with the agency.................Subscribers

Lottery Launches 'Mass Cash Sundays'
BRAINTREE, Massachusetts (January 12, 2009) -- The Massachusetts State Lottery has another big winner – “Mass Cash Sundays.” Starting January 18, Mass Cash drawings will be held..............Subscribers

Claims Bingo Lawsuit Against the State Lottery’s Overseers Politically Motivated
BOSTON, Massachusetts, USA (January 3, 2009) -- John Hawkins has reportedly thrust himself back into the spotlight by suing state Treasurer Tim Cahill and state lottery Executive Director Mark Cavanagh in Boston federal court over the lottery’s failure to implement the firm’s bingo game....................Subscribers