Massachusetts lawmakers approve bill to legalize sports betting, could be in place for football season
BOSTON - House and Senate Democrats in Massachusetts finally reached an agreement early Monday on a bill to legalize betting on professional and college sports.
"I am proud to announce that the Sports Betting Conference Committee has reached an agreement on legislation that will legalize wagering on professional and collegiate sports in Massachusetts, bringing the immense economic benefits of a legal sports betting industry to MA," House Speaker Ron Mariano tweeted just after 5 a.m.
Under the compromise bill, anyone at least 21 years old would be able to place a wager in Massachusetts with a 15-percent tax on in-person wagers and a 20-percent tax on mobile bets.
"It's also going to create a whole new industry and a whole new sector for our economy and a whole new way for people to engage with their favorite teams," state Senator Eric Lesser told WBZ-TV. "I think given the scope of what we've included here, including college that's out of Massachusetts I think we're probably going to see 60-to-65 million dollars a year"
So when will people be able to start betting on games at casinos and on their phones?
Monday's deal is a big step forward in a long, stalled process. The bill now heads to Governor Charlie Baker. He has 10 days to sign it and make it law or reject it.
WBZ-TV political analyst Jon Keller says he's hearing that sports betting could be in place in a matter of weeks.
"What they're saying this morning on Beacon Hill is that this could be up-and-running in time for the start of football season," Keller said.
Betting on Massachusetts colleges and universities will not be allowed unless they are playing in a post-season tournament like March Madness. You also won't be allowed to bet on individual players.
"All 10 of the Division 1 programs in Massachusetts asked us to keep betting off their campuses," Lesser said.
Sports betting is already legal in more than 30 states, including Rhode Island, New Hampshire, Connecticut and New York. Baker, who first proposed a sports wagering bill in 2019, said there's plenty of evidence that Massachusetts residents have been driving over the border to place bets.
"I've said before that with all that's going on in other states and especially the ones around us with regard to sports betting, it's important for us to pass legislation and legalize it here," Baker said back in April.
There will be a $5 million application fee for casinos, slot parlors and race tracks to obtain a sports betting license. Seven mobile betting platform licenses will also be available.
Boston-based DraftKings celebrated news of an agreement.
"We are thrilled that our home state has acted to protect consumers, create jobs and grow revenue in the Commonwealth," CEO Jason Robins said in a statement. "We are hopeful that the legislature will move to quickly pass this bill and Governor Baker will sign it into law."
