Online lottery sales possible under new bill filed on Beacon Hill

BOSTON (AP) - Lottery players would be able to purchase tickets and play lottery games online under a bill being filed on Beacon Hill.

The bill would authorize the Massachusetts State Lottery Commission to create internet gambling games, including establishing the price of tickets, the number and size of prizes, the manner of selecting winners and the frequency of drawings.

The bill would also require the commission come up with a way to block sales of online tickets or other lottery games to individuals under 18 and require that the sale of online tickets be limited to purchasers within Massachusetts.

Treasurer Steven Grossman , whose office oversees the lottery, said last month he would ask state lawmakers for permission to create and test what he hopes will be a first wave of internet lottery games in Massachusetts.