Massachusetts Lottery

The Massachusetts Lottery was established in 1971, following the legalization of gambling by the Massachusetts General Court, the legislature of the Commonwealth. The Lottery is administered by a commission of five members, who include the Treasurer and Receiver-General (who serves as chairperson); the Secretary of the Massachusetts Department of Public Safety; and the Comptroller, who serve on an ex officio basis. The Governor appoints the other two members.

The Lottery is unusual in withholding 5 percent on prizes over $600, instead of only over $5,000 (the Federal level.) The withholding on prizes of at least $5,000 is 30 percent.

The Lottery had come under criticism for not offering a cash option for many of its annuitized games. In 2004, then-94-year-old Massachusetts resident Louise Outing sparked controversy after she failed to win a lawsuit to have her $5.4 million Megabucks jackpot prize paid as a lump sum.^[1] (In May 2009, Megabucks was replaced by Megabucks Doubler, which has a cash option; beginning in June 2009, winners of annuity prizes in scratch games, including lifetime payouts, were allowed to receive a lump sum.)

In Megabucks Doubler, every 10th ticket is eligible for a doubled non-jackpot prize. The payout percentage in this game is 55%.

The Numbers Game

The Numbers Game is played twice daily, including Sundays. Prices, prizes, and options vary.

Keno

Keno is played at a retailer with a monitor. Drawings are four minutes apart. Prices, prizes, and options vary.

The Daily Race Game

The Daily Race Game is played much the same as Keno.

Mass Cash

On July 17, 2011, Mass Cash expanded to daily drawings; it had been drawn Sundays, Tuesdays, and Fridays. The game no longer has a "season ticket" option. Five numbers 1 to 35 are drawn. The top prize is $100,000. The game is similar to neighboring Connecticut's Cash 5 basic game (without the Kicker). The payout structure is as follows:

• Match 5 numbers: win $100,000 (prize pool liability $1,000,000)
• Match 4 numbers: $250
• Match 3 numbers: $10

Megabucks Doubler

Megabucks Doubler is drawn Wednesdays and Saturdays. Six numbers from 1 to 49 are chosen. The jackpot starts at $500,000; there is a cash option.

Cash Winfall

Cash Winfall is drawn Mondays and Thursdays. Six numbers 1 to 46 are chosen. The jackpot starts at $500,000; it is paid in lump sum. Lower-tier prizes are $4000, $150, or $5 for matching five, four, or three numbers respectively; if the jackpot reaches $2 million and not won, the jackpot is "rolled down" with the secondary prizes increased.

The game has come under criticism due to surges of ticket sales by large investors when the jackpot reaches $2 million.^[2]

Cash Winfall is expected to be discontinued in 2012.^{[citation needed]} The six lotteries comprising New England are considering an expansion of the Connecticut Lottery game Lucky4Life, which also is drawn Mondays and Thursdays. The expanded version would begin March 18, 2012; a cash option is being considered, which the Connecticut-only game does not offer.

Mega Millions

On September 6, 1996, Illinois, Georgia, Virginia, Maryland, Michigan, and Massachusetts began a jackpot game, then called The Big Game. The current name, Mega Millions, was adopted in 2002, with The Big Game name retired soon after. The jackpot starts at $12 million. The Megaplier option became available in Massachusetts in 2011.

Powerball

Powerball began in 1992; Massachusetts added Powerball on January 31, 2010.

References

1. ^ "So Much Money, So Little Time". Associated Press. 2005-01-03. http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,143208,00.html. Retrieved 2008-08-11. 
2. ^ "A game with a windfall for a knowing few". Boston Globe. 31 July 2011. http://articles.boston.com/2011-07-31/news/29836200_1_lottery-tickets-claim-prizes-massachusetts-state-lottery. Retrieved 4 August 2011. 

External links

• Massachusetts Lottery