BOSTON — A legislative committee has advanced a proposal that could allow lottery tickets to be sold online in Massachusetts.

Under current state law, lottery sales are limited to licensed retail outlets.

The Consumer Protection and Professional Licensure Committee this week released with a favorable report a bill that would authorize the Lottery Commission to conduct games online and through mobile apps.

The Senate chairwoman of the panel, Democratic Sen. Barbara L’Italien, said creation of online lottery games would give the Massachusetts Lottery “the tools it needs to compete in the 21st-century economy.”

“Since millennials and other younger players have grown up with access to technology at their fingertips, they are less likely to purchase lottery tickets in the traditional marketplace and we need to find an alternative way to engage them,” she said.

Lottery proceeds go toward municipal services.

The bill would require an age verification system.