Massachusetts State Lottery Commission
- Founded
- 1971-01-01 in Boston, Massachusetts, United States
- Headquarters
- 150 Mount Vernon Street, Dorchester, MA 02125, United States
The Massachusetts State Lottery Commission (MSLC) is the state agency responsible for operating all legal lottery games in Massachusetts. Established in 1971 and selling its first ticket in 1972, the Lottery was created to generate local aid revenue for the state's 351 cities and towns without raising taxes. Over five decades, it has returned more than $149 billion to the Commonwealth, with net profits distributed annually to municipalities. The MSLC offers a portfolio of draw games including Powerball, Mega Millions, Megabucks, Mass Cash, The Numbers Game, Keno, and a wide variety of scratch tickets. In fiscal year 2025, the Lottery achieved a record net profit of approximately $1.067 billion. A landmark development in 2025 was the award of its first iLottery contract to Aristocrat Interactive, with online sales set to launch in July 2026. The MSLC operates through a network of over 7,000 retail agents across the state and is governed by a five-member commission chaired by the State Treasurer.
Detailed Review
History and Governance
The Massachusetts State Lottery Commission was created by an act of the Massachusetts General Court in 1971, with the first ticket sold on March 22, 1972. It operates as an independent agency within the Office of the State Treasurer. The commission's five members include the State Treasurer as chair, the Secretary of Public Safety, the State Comptroller, and two gubernatorial appointees. The commission sets policy, while day-to-day operations are led by an Executive Director, currently Mark William Bracken, appointed in June 2023.
Product Portfolio
The MSLC's core products include multi-state jackpot games such as Powerball and Mega Millions, state-specific draw games like Megabucks and Mass Cash, daily numbers games, and Keno with drawings every four minutes. Scratch tickets, or instant games, are offered at price points from $1 to over $30, with new games introduced regularly. In fiscal year 2025, the Lottery generated a record net profit of approximately $1.067 billion and returned $4.416 billion in total prizes to players.
Financial Performance
The Lottery is entirely self-funded through ticket sales and receives no taxpayer dollars. Its operating expenses are covered by prize reserves and administrative budgets. Net profits are distributed annually to all 351 Massachusetts municipalities for unrestricted use. Over its history, the MSLC has returned more than $149 billion in revenue to the Commonwealth.
iLottery Expansion
A major strategic shift occurred in August 2025 when the MSLC awarded its first iLottery contract to Aristocrat Interactive. The five-year agreement, with three optional three-year extensions, will launch online sales on July 1, 2026. The digital platform will initially allow players to purchase draw-game tickets and instant games via a website and mobile app, expanding the Lottery's reach while incorporating responsible-gaming safeguards.
Responsible Gaming and Community Impact
The MSLC actively promotes responsible gaming through partnerships with the Massachusetts Department of Public Health and the Massachusetts Council on Gaming and Health. It participates in Problem Gambling Awareness Month and implements safeguards such as age verification and spending limits. The Lottery also supports local communities through its revenue contributions, and its headquarters in Dorchester, along with five regional offices, employs several hundred staff members.
Key Products
Powerball
Multi‑state jackpot draw game with drawings twice a week. Tickets $2 each; starting jackpots of $20 million with rollovers.
Mega Millions
Multi‑state jackpot draw game with drawings twice a week. Tickets $2 each; starting jackpots of $20 million with rollovers.
Megabucks
State‑specific jackpot draw game with a minimum jackpot of $500,000. Drawings occur twice weekly. In 2026 it reached its largest jackpot ever at $22.25 million.
Mass Cash
Daily draw game where players pick 5 numbers from 1‑35. Jackpot starts at $100,000 and grows until won.
The Numbers Game
Daily pick‑3 and pick‑4 game with two drawings per day (2 p.m. and 9 p.m.). Players choose 3 or 4 digits and win by matching exact order, any order, or other play styles.
Keno
Rapid‑draw game with drawings every 4 minutes. Players select up to 12 numbers from 1‑80; payouts vary based on how many numbers match.
Scratch Tickets (Instant Games)
A wide range of instant win tickets at price points from $1 to $30+ featuring various themes, prizes, and bonus plays. New games are launched regularly, and games are retired after prize expiration periods.
Mass Lottery Online (iLottery)
Digital platform launching July 1, 2026 under a contract with Aristocrat Interactive. Initially will offer draw‑game ticket purchases and select instant games via website and mobile app.
Offices & Headcount
375 employees (approx.)
Key Persons
- Sheila Capone‑Wulsin
Chief Marketing Officer
- Mark Bracken
Executive Director at Massachusetts State Lottery
- Dan O'Neil
Speaker