Massachusetts Exploring Legalization of Online Gaming and Poker
Proposed Bill Includes Ban on Election Wagering
Massachusetts lawmakers are considering a new bill aimed at expanding the state’s online gaming industry, including the regulation of online poker. The proposal seeks to modernize gambling laws while also prohibiting election wagering.
The bill outlines plans to allow the state’s existing casinos (designated as Category 1 license holders) to operate up to two online gaming “skins” with separate branding for online poker. Additionally, Category 2 license holders, which include companies without current gaming licenses, would be eligible for up to four licenses after paying a $5 million fee for a five-year period.
A 20% tax rate is proposed for online gaming revenues, and the legislation includes provisions for Massachusetts to join the Multi-State Internet Gaming Association. This move could add the state’s seven million residents to the shared online poker player pool across participating states. However, whether the legislation will pass remains uncertain.
“Passing iGaming legislation realistically could take a few years,” Rep. David K. Muradian Jr. told PlayUSA. “We’ve already tackled casinos, sports betting, and iLottery. The logical next step is to explore iGaming, especially as neighboring states like Connecticut and Rhode Island have already taken this step.”
The sports betting portion of the bill (SD 1657) proposes several new regulations, including:
• Banning prop and in-play betting.
• Prohibiting advertisements during televised sporting events.
• Raising the tax rate on sports wagering to 51%.
The bill also seeks to impose stricter affordability checks, requiring operators to assess whether a bettor can afford their wagers. The proposal limits wagers to $1,000 per day or $10,000 per month unless an affordability review confirms the amounts do not exceed 15% of the bettor’s available bank account funds.
Separately, a bill filed by State Sen. Jacob Oliveira (SD 2428) would outlaw betting on elections in Massachusetts. If passed, the ban would take effect immediately as an emergency law. The federal government has also recently moved to ban election betting following billions of dollars being wagered on the 2024 elections.
The future of these bills remains uncertain, but they reflect growing efforts to expand and regulate online gaming in Massachusetts while addressing concerns over gambling practices.
Source: https://www.cardplayer.com/poker-ne...s-looking-to-legalize-online-gaming-and-poker
Proposed Bill Includes Ban on Election Wagering
Massachusetts lawmakers are considering a new bill aimed at expanding the state’s online gaming industry, including the regulation of online poker. The proposal seeks to modernize gambling laws while also prohibiting election wagering.
The bill outlines plans to allow the state’s existing casinos (designated as Category 1 license holders) to operate up to two online gaming “skins” with separate branding for online poker. Additionally, Category 2 license holders, which include companies without current gaming licenses, would be eligible for up to four licenses after paying a $5 million fee for a five-year period.
A 20% tax rate is proposed for online gaming revenues, and the legislation includes provisions for Massachusetts to join the Multi-State Internet Gaming Association. This move could add the state’s seven million residents to the shared online poker player pool across participating states. However, whether the legislation will pass remains uncertain.
“Passing iGaming legislation realistically could take a few years,” Rep. David K. Muradian Jr. told PlayUSA. “We’ve already tackled casinos, sports betting, and iLottery. The logical next step is to explore iGaming, especially as neighboring states like Connecticut and Rhode Island have already taken this step.”
The sports betting portion of the bill (SD 1657) proposes several new regulations, including:
• Banning prop and in-play betting.
• Prohibiting advertisements during televised sporting events.
• Raising the tax rate on sports wagering to 51%.
The bill also seeks to impose stricter affordability checks, requiring operators to assess whether a bettor can afford their wagers. The proposal limits wagers to $1,000 per day or $10,000 per month unless an affordability review confirms the amounts do not exceed 15% of the bettor’s available bank account funds.
Separately, a bill filed by State Sen. Jacob Oliveira (SD 2428) would outlaw betting on elections in Massachusetts. If passed, the ban would take effect immediately as an emergency law. The federal government has also recently moved to ban election betting following billions of dollars being wagered on the 2024 elections.
The future of these bills remains uncertain, but they reflect growing efforts to expand and regulate online gaming in Massachusetts while addressing concerns over gambling practices.
Source: https://www.cardplayer.com/poker-ne...s-looking-to-legalize-online-gaming-and-poker
