Here is what you need to know after Massachusetts online lottery and free community college signed by Governor Maura Healey

Massachusetts Governor Maura Healey Monday signed the fiscal year 2025 state budget that includes language legalizing online lottery sales for the Commonwealth of Massachusetts and free community college for most. Revenue from online lottery sales will support a grant program for early childhood education and care.

“We thank Governor Healey for her support of online Lottery and approving it in the final FY25 budget. This will allow the Lottery to keep pace with its competition and reach newer audiences,” said State Treasurer Deborah B. Goldberg, Chair of the Massachusetts State Lottery Commission. “We are prepared to implement a safe and reliable iLottery that will produce significant resources for critical childcare services, which are so desperately needed across the state. Thank you to Speaker Ron Mariano, President Karen Spilka, and the Joint Ways and Means Committee for prioritizing this important policy change. And thank you to the legislators who have championed this issue. We are excited to get to work!”

“Our team is excited to implement an online Lottery,” said Mark William Bracken, Executive Director of the Mass Lottery. “We are ready and prepared to offer our players a modern lottery experience in a safe and accessible environment. At the same time, the Lottery is unwavering in its commitment to our dedicated retail partners who have helped us become the most successful lottery in the country.”

The Lottery will be conducting a Request for Response to procure services for the operation of an online Lottery. Lottery officials anticipate launching its online platform in approximately 16 months.

The legislation requires customers to be at least 21 years old to participate. The age requirement for retail Lottery sales remains 18.

Since selling its first ticket in 1972, the Mass Lottery has generated over $155 billion in revenues, awarded over $109 billion in prizes, returned over $33 billion in net profit to the Commonwealth for unrestricted local aid provided to cities and towns, and paid over $8.8 billion in commissions and bonuses to its statewide network of retailers.

Concerning free community college, MassEducate and MassReconnect will allow eligible Massachusetts residents of all ages who have not yet earned a bachelor’s degree to attend any of the state’s 15 community colleges and pay no tuition or fees. Both programs include an allowance for books and supplies for certain students.

Following the implementation of MassReconnect in August 2023 which provides free community college for those 25 and older without a prior degree, Bristol Community College’s overall enrollment from the Spring 2023 to Spring 2024 semesters increased by 7.4%, including a 16.3 % rise in Black, Indigenous, People of Color (BIPOC) students and an almost 31% increase in the number of adult learners.

Bristol Community College President Laura L. Douglas suggests that upcoming students should apply for aid quickly.

“It is important that anyone who is interested in taking advantage of MassEducate and MassReconnect complete the FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid) as soon as possible to maximize eligible grant funds. Whether they are a new or current student, we encourage them to apply to the college and complete their FAFSA promptly, especially if they plan to start this fall.”