ANNAPOLIS – Retailers in Maryland are voicing their opposition to the State Lottery Commission’s proposed online lottery program, which would allow customers to purchase tickets for scratch-off, instant and Keno-like games via the Internet in addition to brick-and-mortar retail locations, reports the Washington Business Journal.
Lottery officials submitted a report to the state Senate Budget Committee and the House of Delegates Appropriations Committee on Sept. 19 that outlines the proposed program. Stephen Martino, director of the commission, says the goal of the “iLottery” plan is to increase the pool of residents who play the lottery. He said that less than 50% of Marylanders play lottery games a year, and that 66% of players are age 45 or older.
The online lottery “is a way to attract younger players not playing the lottery and increase our playership,” he said.
Ellen Valentino, who heads the Maryland office of the National Federation of Independent Business (NFIB), opposes the state’s online lottery plan, saying that it will hurt retailers. She added that the commission did not consult Maryland retailers and conducted closed-door town hall meetings on the proposal.
“The majority of the retail community, as they have in all other states, will object,” Valentino told the news source. She also said that the payment method for residents to purchase online lottery tickets resembles online gambling.
The news source explains that the lottery would allow consumers to purchase tickets with their debit cards, a voucher purchased at retail stores or through an online wallet that would link to consumers’ bank accounts. All winnings under $600 would be redeemed at retail locations.
Giving customers an online wallet and letting them scratch-off tickets online “walks a fine line” between Internet ticket sales and online gambling, Valentino said. “Making a distinction between iLottery and iGaming is making a difference without a difference,” she said.
There are 45 days for public comment on the proposal. Beginning today, the nine-member commission panel is changing its name to the State Lottery and Gaming Control Commission, a change designated by the General Assembly’s expanded gambling legislation, passed and signed by Gov. Martin O’Malley in August.
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