A pair of bills that could expand gambling in the state are to be discussed next week
Massachusetts lawmakers are preparing for round two of negotiations that will determine whether or not the state is the next to legalize online casino gaming. Senate Bill 235 and House Bill 332, sponsored by Sen. Paul Feeney and Rep. Daniel Cahill this spring, would legalize slots and table games online across the commonwealth. The bills will come under consideration by a joint legislative committee on Monday, June 23.
The push is made because surrounding states like Connecticut and Rhode Island have already created regulated online casino markets. Massachusetts is losing potential tax money and business, proponents say. Only seven states currently allow iGaming, and lawmakers behind the effort are hoping Massachusetts will be number eight.
The pending bills would permit each of the state’s three casinos, including MGM Springfield, Plainridge Park, and Encore Boston Harbor, to partner with up to two online operators. Four stand-alone online casinos would also be licensed. A license would cost \\\\$5 million and have to be renewed every five years for the same fee. Operators would be subject to a 20% tax on gross gaming revenue.
Others in the gaming industry, including MGM Resorts and Penn Entertainment, favor the legislation. Wynn Resorts, owner of Encore Boston Harbor, has been less keen and has backed away from online casino gaming by shutting down its WynnBet platform recently.
With the legislative wave gathering steam, Massachusetts Gaming Commission Chairman Jordan Maynard has issued a warning. Recently, he compared the current pace of online gambling expansion to reckless speeding on the highway with no seatbelts, warning that the proper protection must be put in place. Maynard again made it clear that his focus remains on consumer protection, not corporate profits.
With nearly 7.1 million residents and one of the US’s highest median incomes, Massachusetts is a tempting marketplace for iGaming. Whether officials take the step, however, will depend upon how seriously they take both economic benefits and social impacts.
