Massachusetts Sports Betting Becomes Law, as Gov. Charlie Baker Signs Compromise

Posted on: August 11, 2022, 08:16h. 

Last updated on: August 11, 2022, 11:34h.

Devin O'Connor @CasinoorgDevinO Read More

Expertise: Asia Pacific Gaming, Commercial Gaming, Legislation, Politics.

Massachusetts sports betting is officially legal. That’s after Governor Charlie Baker (R) on Wednesday signed the legislative compromise reached by the state Senate and House late last month.

The US Supreme Court gave states the power to decide their own laws on sports betting through a May 2018 decision. But it took Massachusetts lawmakers more than four years to settle how the commonwealth would regulate such gambling.

The state Senate and House had passed competing sports wagering bills. After a legislative deadlock, a special Sports Betting Conference Committee was formed to settle the differences. The committee accomplished that goal just as the legislature adjourned for 2022.

Baker, a longtime advocate of Massachusetts, authorizing sports betting and joining the more than 30 other states that have done so, thanked lawmakers while signing the resolution into law.

We appreciate the dedication and compromise that the Legislature demonstrated on this issue, and we look forward to supporting the work of the Massachusetts Gaming Commission (MGC) on the responsible implementation of the law over the next several months,” the governor said.

While sports betting is formally legal in Massachusetts, it will be some time before the first permitted wager is placed. The MGC will first need to develop and implement new regulations to govern sports betting and then field and review sports betting applications. The final step is granting such privileges to qualified interests before making the first legal wager.

College Limitation

A major holdout among state senators in agreeing to a compromise with the House sports betting bill was the issue of college sports.

Many senators fielded concerns from university leaders that allowing sportsbooks to take bets on collegiate athletics would put college athletes at great risk of being targeted by illicit individuals to throw a game. House leaders said the opposite is true, as not including college sports would keep betting on NCAA games with the underground bookies, where such criminal behavior is much likelier to occur than in a regulated environment.

But there will be opportunities for Boston College fans to place legal bets on the Eagles.

The Massachusetts sports betting compromise allows oddsmakers to include Massachusetts colleges into their lines during tournaments such as NCAA March Madness. The caveat also applies to conference tournaments. But college football bowl games are prohibited, aside from the four-team College Football Playoff.

Casinos, Racetracks, Online

The Massachusetts sports betting bill authorizes the MGC to issue three categories of licenses.

The state’s three commercial casinos — Encore Boston Harbor, MGM Springfield, and Plainridge Park — each qualify for brick-and-mortar sportsbook rights. The casino will also be permitted to operate sports betting online through a third-party partner.

Massachusetts will tax in-person sports betting income at 15% and mobile revenue at 20%.