Are you having trouble keeping up with the local lottery draw? That will change on June 15th. Draw times for several Massachusetts Lottery games have been moved up.
This change by the Massachusetts Lottery Commission is part of a four-phase plan that was announced in 2019. Phase one began in December 2019, which involved acquiring new draw equipment and establishing studios. The draw time changes signify the completion of Phase 2.
Phase 3 is currently in progress and includes the addition of graphics, music, and livestreaming to enhance the content. The implementation of remote draws will be part of Phase 4.
The commission is not expected to make any other changes to the lotto games getting run.
The reason why change the attract times?
In previous years, Massachusetts draw times were determined by programming schedules set by broadcasters. For younger players who may not have access to traditional television, this meant that draws occurred before they could tune in or share a friend’s cable with a password.
Even after the state took over the operation of the lottery, broadcast times remained the same. However, the decision to change the draw times was made after a thorough evaluation and comparison with industry standards.
Mark William Bracken, the executive interim director of the state lottery, explained the commission’s reasoning behind the change.
“We are now able to present our evening draws at times that are more accessible for many of our customers. We have dedicated significant effort to improving the visual presentation of our drawings, and moving the draw times will give more customers the opportunity to experience the excitement of watching these draws live.”
What are the brand new times?
The new draw times will begin on June 15 for the three in-state draw games. The updated times are as follows:
- The Numbers Game drawings will take place at 2 p.m. and 9 p.m. daily. Previously, the draws were held at 12:45 p.m. and 7:45 p.m. The time between draws remains at seven hours.
- The Mass Cash (daily) and Megabucks Doubler (Wednesdays and Saturdays) draws will now occur at 9 p.m. Previously, they took place at 9:45 p.m. and 10:45 p.m., respectively.
Ticket sales for the next available draws for each game will begin shortly after the evening draws. Draw times for national games like Lucky For Life, Mega Millions, and Powerball will remain the same.
Overall lotto sales straight down from 04 2021
The Massachusetts Lotto Commission released a report on May 31 that showed the state’s overall unadjusted lottery sales in April were down $25.9 million compared to April 2021. In fact, year-over-year sales have been down every month in 2022.
Factoring in the $9.8 million multistate Mega Millions and Powerball jackpot payout, there was an estimated $27.4 million decrease in net profit in April. Instant ticket and keno sales accounted for nearly 90% of all lottery sales in April.
Jules Walker offers written, modified and developed words in five Michigan newspapers as well as on websites. She has worked in two sports events departments, including the Oakland Press and most recently the Detroit Information. Julie has been involved in reporting on numerous major sporting events, from the 100th NFL game to the Super Bowls, from the sale and purchase of Justin Verlander to the closing of the Blond Hills Structure. Jules enjoys betting, campfires, dachshunds, coaching Little League, and carrying on his father’s fantasy football business that he started in 1987 – before there was a good app for you.
