In 1971 the Massachusetts State Lottery was established to raise funds for the state's cities and towns after gambling was legalized by the Massachusetts General Court, the legislature of the Commonwealth. The lottery is administered by a commission of five members and in March of 2009 Treasurer Tim Cahill proposed a privatization of the lottery to raise more funds for the state through a 50-year license to run the lottery. The Massachusetts Lottery withholds 5% percent on prizes over $600, instead of the usual of prizes over $5,000. The Lottery generates revenues through the sales of its products, while the Department of Revenue's Division of Local Services is responsible for allocating the funds to municipalities. The distribution formula for funds generated through Lottery revenues is based primarily on property values and its population, sales does not come into account when decided how much should be returned to individual communities. Any changes to the formula requires legislative approval.