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.
Massachusetts-only games
The Numbers Game
The Numbers Game is played twice daily. It draws four 1-digit numbers; bets can be made on a one-digit and/or two-digit number. Three-digit numbers are "first three" or "last three", as a three-digit number is not drawn separately. Minimum wagers are 25 cents on a three-digit or four digit number; 50 cents on a two-digit number or one-digit.
Payouts are on a pari-mutuel basis; the payout percentage is 60 percent on one- and two-digit wagers; 70 percent on three-digit bets, and 50 percent on a four-digit number.
Keno
Keno is played at retailers that are equipped with a special monitor. Drawings are four minutes apart. Prices, prizes, and options vary.
Jackpot Poker
This is a poker-themed game with a side bet. The basic game costs $1; if the computer-generated "hand" is a Royal Flush, the player wins $25,000. Smaller prizes are for other poker hands. A $2 wager is eligible for the Progressive Jackpot option; the minimum jackpot is $100,000.[1]
Mass Cash
In 2011, Mass Cash expanded to daily drawings. Five numbers 01 through 35 are drawn. Top prize is $100,000 (with a $1 million liability limit.) The game is similar to neighboring Connecticut's Cash 5 basic game (without the Kicker.) Four numbers wins $250; three numbers, $10.
Megabucks Doubler
Megabucks Doubler is drawn Wednesdays and Saturdays. Six numbers from 1 through 49 are chosen. The jackpot starts at $500,000; unlike previous versions of the game, there is a cash option. Matching 5 out of 6 wins $2,500 ($5,000 with doubler) Matching 4 out of 6 wins $100 ($200 with doubler) 3 out of 6 wins $2 ($4 with doubler)
Instant Tickets
The Lottery offers scratch tickets; price points are $1, $2, $5, $10, $20 and $30. Top prizes range from $5,000 to $15 million. "Cash for Life" tickets offer the chance to win $500 to $10,000 a week for life.
Former Games
The Daily Race Game
The Daily Game Race was played much the same as Keno. It used a horserace-themed Keno-style computer monitor. The Daily Race Game ended June 11, 2013, due to poor sales and players' preference for poker.[2]
Cash Winfall
Cash Winfall was drawn Mondays and Thursdays. Six numbers 1 through 46 were chosen. The jackpot began at $500,000; it always was paid in lump sum. Lower-tier prizes were $4000, $150, or $5 for matching five, four, or three numbers respectively; two numbers won a Cash Winfall bet. If the jackpot reached $2 million and was not won, the jackpot was "rolled down" with the secondary prizes increased.
The game came under criticism due to surges of ticket sales by large investors when the jackpot was approaching $2 million.[3]
Cash Winfall ended on January 26, 2012;
Multi-lottery games
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 $15 million. The Megaplier option became available in Massachusetts in 2011.
Powerball
Powerball began in 1992; Massachusetts added Powerball on January 31, 2010.
Lucky for Life
In 2009, the Connecticut Lottery introduced Lucky4Life, which became a regional game, Lucky for Life, three years later when the game expanded to include Maine, New Hampshire, Vermont, Rhode Island, and Massachusetts.
In January 2015, Lucky for Life will add 10 states and the District of Columbia.
See also
References
- ↑ "Massachusetts State Lottery - The Jackpot Poker Games". Masslottery.com. Retrieved 2014-05-13.
- ↑ "Massachusetts State Lottery - About the Lottery - Lottery News". Masslottery.com. Retrieved 2014-05-13.
- ↑ "A game with a windfall for a knowing few". Boston Globe. 31 July 2011. Retrieved 4 August 2011.