Bill
SD 461
Requires Massachusetts Treasurer and Lottery to launch a second-chance game for non-winning lottery tickets, boosting recycling and reducing litter within 180 days.
Status: House concurred; Introduced February 27, 2025
Bill overview
- Purpose: To reduce lottery littering by creating a second chance game that engages non-winning lottery tickets and scratch tickets, encouraging their recycling rather than disposal.
- Governing body actions: The bill directs the Massachusetts State Treasurer’s Office to require the state lottery to develop and implement the second chance game. The second chance game must be up and running within 180 days of the bill’s passage.
Key provisions
- Section 1: The Massachusetts State Treasurer’s Office shall instruct the Massachusetts State Lottery to develop a second chance game that uses all lottery tickets and scratch tickets that do not contain winning numbers. The explicit goal is to increase recycling of these tickets and to reduce their littering or disposal as waste.
- Section 2: The second chance game must be operational no later than 180 days after the bill’s passage.
Legislative history and status
- Filed: January 13, 2025 (Senate Docket No. 461)
- Introduced by: State Senator Patrick M. O’Connor
- Referred: February 27, 2025 to the Committee on Consumer Protection and Professional Licensure
- Status note: House concurrence noted, indicating the House has approved the measure as part of the process toward enactment
- Related action: Similar matter previously filed in the 2023-2024 session (Senate No. 201)
Who would be affected
- Massachusetts State Treasurer’s Office and the Massachusetts State Lottery: Responsible for developing and operating the second chance game.
- Lottery ticket purchasers: Potentially participate indirectly through the new game by reclaiming value from non-winning tickets.
- General public and environment: Expected benefit from reduced litter and increased recycling of lottery materials.
Timeline and implementation considerations
- Effective deadline: The second chance game must launch within 180 days after the bill becomes law.
- Implementation questions (to be clarified in later statutory language or guidance): specifics of how non-winning tickets are entered, the mechanics of the second chance draws, funding and administrative costs, eligibility rules, data collection, and reporting requirements.
Notes for readers
- The bill focuses on environmental and recycling outcomes tied to lottery products, rather than altering prize structures or revenue allocations from the lottery. Further detail would likely appear in committee amendments or the final enacted text.
Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.
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