Christine Wechsler, the senior vice president of public policy and government affairs at Scientific Games, testified to the Maryland House Ways and Means Committee on Thursday, February 29 in support of House Bill 1218.
The bill, "State Lottery – Internet Sales Authorisation and Distribution Proceeds," would, if adopted, give the green light to the Maryland Lottery to offer its games to in-state consumers through online sales channels.
“The Maryland Lottery is like all other businesses selling products to consumers – it must modernise to meet changing consumer demand,” Wechsler said in a prepared testimony. “Providing convenient and relevant experiences to consumers online and at retail will be critical to enable the lottery’s sustainability and maximise revenue potential for the state.”
Scientific Games has been a partner to the Maryland Lottery for 27 years and provides the systems technology, terminals and communications infrastructure supporting sales of the lottery games at retail, among other key products and services.
“Our focus has always been on delivering solutions and services to facilitate retail growth and maximise profit returned to Maryland’s beneficiaries,” Wechsler added. “And we are invested and fully committed to helping shape a successful ilottery framework for the state that responsibly drives continued growth across the lottery’s established brick-and-mortar retailer network while providing incremental online revenue.”