House Approves (Massachusetts) Sports Betting, Again, With Bipartisan Vote

https://www.wbur.org/news/2021/07/22/massachusetts-sports-betting-vote

MGM Springfield, Encore Boston Harbor, Plainridge Park Casino, the state's two simulcasting facilities and racetracks that host live horse racing (right now the only one is at Plainridge Park) would be granted licenses to take in-person wagers as long as they meet rules and requirements of the Gaming Commission. They would be allowed to have between one and three mobile sports betting platforms, depending on the facility. Mobile-only operators could also seek licenses and every license would carry a $5 million fee.

"We estimate if all those licenses go out, the commonwealth could get $70 to $80 million just in licensing fees," Parisella said Thursday.

A sportsbook's revenue from in-person bets would be taxed at 12.5% and revenue from mobile wagers at 15%. Parisella said the higher tax on mobile operators recognizes the added costs that brick-and-mortar facilities would have and aims to drive customers to businesses that employ people in Massachusetts.

"I believe a conservative estimate is that we'll raise about $60 million annually from the taxes on the sports betting," Parisella said, citing a number higher than most previous estimates for sports betting in Massachusetts. "And as it gets matured, we believe that those numbers could rise."

If college betting is not allowed, Mariano said, the revenue estimate would drop to between $25 million and $35 million annually.

"We are hopeful that the legislature will move quickly to establish a regulated market that will create jobs, protect consumers, and support the many Massachusetts businesses that are losing customers to neighboring states right now," DraftKings Vice President of Government Affairs Griffin Finan said. "The time to act is now. We look forward to continuing to work with both branches to get a final bill over the goal line."

An additional 1% tax would be levied on wagers placed on sporting events held in Massachusetts to be distributed proportionately between the facilities that hosted the events to be used for "sports wagering security and integrity."


Mass - 7m Population