Commonwealth. If exclusivity is not granted through enabling legislation, we recommend that joint ventures with, or licensing through, the Lottery be mandated or encouraged for Internet gambling enterprises seeking to operate in Massachusetts. Such combined efforts could include partnering with the Lottery to operate within the state, utilizing a common platform maintained by the Lottery, or providing a percentage of revenue to the Lottery as a condition of licensure. 10
While we do not suggest that such a recommendation would be appropriate for all states that have both casino gaming and lotteries, the basic principle is sound: They must find common ground in the online realm to best advance public policy.
Notably, we dispute the notion that lotteries will simply be selling draw games or multistate progressive tickets online, but will rather pursue online versions of instant games, as is the case with lotteries such as Michigan, that have already moved their products online. An electronic instant lottery ticket will effectively evolve into the same product as an online slot machine, and there will be competition between the two, unless policymakers encourage joint ventures or similar arrangements to boost convergence, rather than competition
Branding: An Essential Concern
When New Jersey developed and authorized online gaming for its Atlantic City licensees, it allowed its land-based licensees to authorize outside providers to develop their own online games, with their own brands, under regulated licensing arrangements. Indeed, New Jersey casinos offer a range of online brands, beyond those of the casinos themselves: 11
New Jersey Internet gaming online brands, by casino
Borgata Hotel & Casino www. Borgatacasino. com www. Borgatapoker. com www. NJ. Partypoker. com www. palacasino. com www. palabingousa. com Caesars Entertainment www. CaesarsCasino. com www. HarrahsCasino. com www. WSOP. com us. 888. com us. 888poker. com us. 888casino. com
Source: New Jersey Division of Gaming Enforcement
Golden Nugget www. GoldenNuggetCasino. com nj-casino. goldennuggetcasino. com www. betfaircasino. com www. playsugarhouse. com Resorts Atlantic City www. resortscasino. com www. mohegansuncasino. com www. pokerstarsnj. com Tropicana Entertainment www. tropicanacasino. com www. virgincasino. com
10
Spectrum Gaming Group,“ Facing the Lottery’ s Future: Implications and Strategies Regarding Internet Sales,” Report for the Massachusetts Treasurer’ s Online Products Task Force, December 4, 2012. http:// www. masslottery. com / lib / downloads / leadership / pdfs / SpectrumGamingGroupFinalReport12-4- 12Ammended. pdf
11
New Jersey Division of Gaming Enforcement. http:// www. nj. gov / lps / ge / gamingsites. html( accessed June 20, 2017)
Observing 15 th Anniversary of SIGHT 10