Christine Wechsler, Scientific Games’ SVP of Public Policy and Government Affairs, recently offered her testimony on the company’s behalf before the Maryland House Ways and Means Committee.
Her statement before the committee was in support of House Bill 1218, which would allow the state of Maryland to allow its lottery to provide players with access to games “through online sales channels.”
“The Maryland Lottery is like all other businesses selling products to consumers – it must modernize to meet changing consumer demand,” Wechsler shared in her public statement.
“Providing convenient and relevant experiences to consumers online and at retail will be critical to enable the Lottery’s sustainability and maximize revenue potential for the state.”
The discussion on whether to allow online gaming statewide has been a hot topic in Maryland for several months.
A similar bill last year to implement an online commercial market was presented to lawmakers. However, the Senate Budget and Taxation Committee did not move forward with the bill.
Those opposed to bringing iLottery onto the scene say that the market could pose a threat to land-based establishments.
During her testimony, Wechsler stated that the company believes implementing an iLottery “doesn’t cannibalize brick-and-mortar retail sales,” citing that none of the 12 established iLotteries around the US have reported any cannibalization involving their land-based counterparts.
She further explained the company’s position by saying, “Our focus has always been on delivering solutions and services to facilitate retail growth and maximize profit returned to Maryland’s beneficiaries.
“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.”
