Md. May Soon Let Lottery Tickets Be Sold Online
ANNAPOLIS, Md. (WJZ) -- Picking your numbers in cyberspace. Maryland explores the possibility of letting residents buy lottery tickets online.
Political reporter Pat Warren says it's a moneymaking idea with a long way to go.
For some, playing the lottery is a ritual---and that includes where you buy the tickets.
"I came here to get a Multi-Match and to play some Keno and also to play the three and four-digit for tonight," said Salice Hill.
But future video of the location where winners bought their tickets may just bring a camera crew to your front door. The General Assembly is looking at putting the lottery online.
"The legislature in the last legislative session asked us to evaluate what might happen or what the prospects were," said Stephen Martino, Maryland's lottery director.
That report is now in the hands of the General Assembly where, on the surface, it seems likely to gain support. About 50 percent of Marylanders reportedly play the lottery, which leaves the state a target group of 50 percent to appeal to.
"You can buy your groceries online. You can buy just about everything online. I know that in my house, just about every Christmas gift was purchased online. It's an option the legislature thought should be given some consideration," Martino said.
The General Assembly is now in a 45-day review period of the report before any other action is taken.
Some estimate selling lottery tickets online could eventually bring in $75 million for the state.
