Bill > S148

This bill establishes the Massachusetts Gaming Control Authority, a new public entity responsible for licensing, regulating, and overseeing the state lottery to ensure stable and predictable financial aid for cities and towns. The Authority will be governed by a board composed of the Treasurer, Auditor, and five appointed members with expertise in gaming law, finance, regulation, accounting, and public health. The bill outlines the Authority's powers, including the ability to sue and be sued, enter into agreements, obtain insurance, and accept grants, and details the application process for lottery licenses, requiring a substantial non-refundable deposit and thorough investigation of applicants' financial and ethical standing. It also establishes a "gaming license fee and operating trust fund" to manage license fees and other revenues, with the remaining balance after initial expenses to be used to support cities and towns through the state lottery fund, aiming to provide at least the same level of aid as in fiscal year 2011. Finally, the Authority is tasked with making recommendations to the General Court within 180 days on how to transfer oversight and control of the state lottery to the new Authority, whether to continue operating it as a state-run entity or to accept bids for private operation.