Massachusetts lawmakers, including Governor Maura Healey, are working on changes to the way alcohol is regulated within casinos. The Chair of the Massachusetts Gaming Commission (MGC) has confirmed that the proposed changes are currently “on hold.”
The modifications would involve the ability to regulate the distribution of alcohol at gaming venues and casinos, but not within their dedicated gambling areas. Governor Healey returned the state budget with an amendment stating her concern for the “important work” of revising alcohol regulations and their enforcement.
Healey said, “I note that the Expanded Gaming Act was signed into law in 2011, creating the category of gaming beverages licenses for the first time. As gaming has grown and developed over the past decade, the structure for regulating these licenses is in need of review and may be in need of change.
“Therefore, I recommend that this section be amended to require the Alcoholic Beverages Control Commission and the MGC to study alcohol regulation and enforcement in gaming establishments, including in restaurants and bars within gaming establishments but not in gaming areas.”
MGC Chief Administrative Officer Grace Robinson said, “We’ll just have to wait and see what the Legislature does.” In the past, vetoes have been addressed by either September or October in the state, but the final impact of Healey’s amendment may not be known until December 31.
Healey also gave the suggestion for both commissions to look over their ongoing partnership, and for both to report their findings to the Joint Committee on Consumer Protection and Professional Licensure, as well as the Joint Committee on Economic Development and Emerging Technologies.
