Massachusetts is behind the eight-ball in legal sports betting in the northeastern portion of the United States. Connecticut has recently launched sports betting, making Massachusetts, Maine, and Vermont the only three states in the region without legal wagering.
People in Massachusetts have a variety of legal sports wagering options. They could travel over the border to Connecticut, New Hampshire, Rhode Island, or New York to place bets. They also can play through a variety of offshore betting sites.
This is causing the state to lose substantial tax revenue, and legislators are beginning to speak out about the situation. Massachusetts is attempting to legalize sports betting in the fall, and it will be necessary for the state to catch up with the region.
Sports betting is sweeping the nation, but it has not given Massachusetts a sense of urgency to legalize wagering.
The Time is Now
Massachusetts is making progress for sports betting. However, lawmakers are split on the subject, which is causing issues in the legislative process. Additionally, other pressing issues need to be completed, like election reforms, redistricting, and federal stimulus spending.
The main holdup in sports betting is addressing consumer and athlete protections for retail and mobile wagering. This is currently being discussed at the Senate Ways and Means Committee, according to Senator Eric Lesser.
Lesser said,
“I think it’s time to do something — the goal is to get it right. This has been a top-tier issue. It’s been something many of us have been working on, on almost a daily basis. And there are very active conversations going on.”
Massachusetts Must Catch Up
Sports betting is legal in Washington D.C and 31 states. It’s only a matter of time before the wagering is permitted throughout the entire United States. This makes it surprising that a state like Massachusetts has not joined the group of legal jurisdictions.
Massachusetts would be a prime betting state because of Boston’s casinos, sports teams, and major media market. Massachusetts has a professional sports team in every major league and casinos scattered throughout the state.
This is a recipe for successful sports betting, but lawmakers must finalize plans in the government.
Gaming attorney Daniel Wallach has been working closely with lawmakers on legislative plans for legal sports wagering.
He said,
“This is an ideal market in which to legalize sports wagering because there is so much engagement around sports. Online sports betting is going to be the key discussion in the Commonwealth, given how prominent it is and how prolific it is throughout the nation.”
State representatives nearly approved a sports betting bill by a unanimous margin in July. The tally was 156-3 in the House of Representatives, and it allowed collegiate gambling. For the latest news visit the Official Massachusetts Gambling Law changes and updates Official page.
Senator News on Gambling
Senators have not been keen to allow gambling on collegiate sports, and Lesser has been at the forefront of this fight.
He said,
“Pro sports teams want legalized gambling and have the infrastructure in place to support that. Why don’t we get started where there’s a consensus?”
Lesser has declared that collegiate sports betting could be an expansion, but it’s best to start with professional sports solely.
There are other benefits of adding sports betting in Massachusetts besides tax revenue. The industry would add more jobs to the economy in various areas like casinos and IT positions.
Massachusetts could become a sports betting technological hub because of DraftKings being headquartered in the state.
If the state passes sports betting in the fall, the goal would be to launch the Super Bowl. The latest start date would be for March Madness, one of the largest betting events on the calendar. Why not visit the BParlay.com Sports Betting blog for other interesting news.
