Late yesterday, a majority of the House approved a bill to legalize sports betting in Massachusetts. Despite debates over allowing wagers on college sports, it voted 156-3 in favor of the bill, referred to as H3977.
The vote was referred to by representatives as long overdue. It has also been suggested that this overwhelming approval may move the Senate into action, as they have been reluctant to proceed with sports betting legalization.
For some, the legalization of sports betting is a simple issue. Rep. Dan Cahill of Lynn claimed: “It’s just fun. People are allowed to have fun.”
Should the Senate approve the bill, sports betting would be put under purview of the Gaming Commission. Betting would be legal for all Massachusetts residents 21 and over. Furthermore, the state plans to implement a number of safeguarding regulations.
Legislators also expect tax revenues of around $60m per year. Mobile operators would also have to pay a license fee of $5m. Additionally, land-based sportsbooks would be taxed at 12.5%, with mobile platforms paying 15%.
Rep. Andy Vargas of Haverhill commented on the vote: "I represent a district which borders New Hampshire. In Haverhill, you can literally walk across the border into New Hampshire and place a bet. I know that my constituents who partake in sports wagering would rather place these bets in their homes and in their own state and would rather have any revenue collected going towards benefiting their home state of Massachusetts."
One of the key debates before the vote was whether the state should allow wagering on college sports. Currently, the bill will allow wagers on the outcomes of games but not on the performances of individual players This is yet to be fully agreed upon but a vote is forecast to occur after the House and the Senate’s summer break.
