A report in the Boston Herald says the Massachusetts Lottery Commission has approved up to $300,000 to defend Treasurer Tim Cahill against a lawsuit claiming Cahill favored Scientific Games International over another company.

The $20 million lawsuit, filed by Bingo Innovative Systems of Rhode Island, also names Lottery executive director Mark Cavanagh and claims the pair favored Scientific Games in exchange for campaign donations to Cahill.

According to the story citing Lottery attorneys, the state entered into negotiations with Bingo Innovative Systems last year for a free pilot program for TV bingo games, but the company later said it was interested in only cell phone and Internet games.

The state backed out of the pilot deal, prompting Bingo to file the lawsuit in December. Neither Scientific Games nor Bingo Innovative Systems won the contract in question, according to the report.