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MA Sports Betting Bill Awaits Governor’s Okay After Legislative Win
By Jeff Osienya Aug 09, 2022 LegalityMassachusetts enters the final lap of the regulated sports betting journey after a bill to legalize the activity was given the green light by lawmakers. All eyes are now on the governor, who is expected to sign the bill into law.Massachusetts is set to join more than 30 other US states in officially legalizing sports betting. As a result, in the coming months, sports fans in the state will no longer need to cross state lines to neighboring Rhode Island and New Hampshire to bet on sporting events. This good news comes after the Sports Betting Conference Committee agreed to pass the Massachusetts Sports Wagering Act.
The bill is now sitting on the state Governor Charlie Baker’s desk, and there is hope that it will be approved sooner rather than later. Industry observers expect approval as the governor has already expressed an interest in signing such a bill before leaving office after the November gubernatorial elections.
Implementation May Take Longer Than Anticipated
The governor’s signature would signal the start of a new chapter in Massachusetts’ history as the bill would immediately become law. However, sports betting rules, which are to be issued as a how-to manual, are yet to be drafted. Industry insiders have speculated that it may be at least 60 days before a draft is released.
On the other hand, there will be a call for license applications to approve operators offering sports betting to Bay Staters. The said process could add a couple more months to the initial estimate, as has previously been the case in many other states. Some legislators had already reported that the bill would be signed into law in time for the upcoming football season. However, odds are getting thinner given that there is still a lot to be done before sports gambling can be up and running in the Bay State.
Massachusetts Gaming Commission Commissioner Bradford Hill voiced his opinion on the possible delay by stating that he wanted the public to arrive at the same understanding as the Commission that the process was not “something that’s going to happen overnight.” Hill added that the process would take longer than people had expected and that he did not see any problem with that as the main point was to get it right from the outset.
What’s in Store for Massachusetts Bettors
This bill has come a long way as there have been several points of contention between the House and the Senate. One significant debate that has delayed the process for months is the issue of betting on collegiate sports and restrictions on gambling advertising. However, it’s now apparent that the two have reached some sort of compromise as both agreed to take the direction of a handful of other states that have already regulated sports betting.
As such, the bill doesn’t allow sports bettors to wager on events where in-state college teams were playing. The only exception is in cases where such events were major tourneys like March Madness or the National Invitation Tournament (NIT). Additionally, players, who must be 21 and older to qualify to gamble, will be able to bet both in person and online.
Meanwhile, bookmakers will be subject to a 15% tax rate for retail wagering and a 20% tax on online sports betting. The Senate’s proposal to ban the use of credit cards in betting was also upheld.
Operators Gearing Up for Regulated Sports Betting Debut
The state has revealed its intentions to involve some of the most influential stakeholders in the plans for the sports betting market. These include the Plainridge Park Casino, Encore Boston Harbor, Raynham Park, MGM Springfield, and Suffolk Downs. Some establishments have already begun readying their premises for the upcoming market, showing their enthusiasm for the potentially rewarding opportunities that lay ahead. The Massachusetts casinos have always been at the forefront in advocating for pro-gambling legislation, and it appears that their efforts will finally pay off.
In 2021, the Encore Boston Harbor launched a new luxurious WynnBET Sports Bar where sports fans could enjoy watching their favorite matches on a 123-foot mega screen. After the recent announcement, the operator has announced that it is ready to hit the ground running as soon as retail wagering kicks off. Wynn Resorts, which runs the Encore Boston Harbor, also has an online presence and stands to greatly benefit from the recently passed bill. Craig Billings, the Wynn Resorts CEO, said in a conference call for analysts and investors that:
Quote“We were happy to see the Massachusetts legislature pass a sports-betting bill, and having already constructed a sportsbook at Encore Boston Harbor in 2021; we expect that retail sports betting will soon be a significant opportunity for property-wide customer acquisition in Boston.”
Edging Closer to the Finish Line
The passing of the Massachusetts Sports Wagering Act ends the year-long struggle by proponents of sports betting. Mind you, attempts to introduce sports betting measures had previously failed in mid-2020. Nonetheless, following the legislative triumph, the Bay State is now on a new path that may lead to a handsome revenue stream, as observed in states that took the same course.
The bill’s urgency was communicated in the legislative session on August 1, and a consensus was reached after comprehensive deliberation that went on well into the night. The deadline for the governor’s signature is ten days after the legislative approval.
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