Massachusetts Sports Betting Bill Tracker
Massachusetts is one of the latest states to consider how a regulated sports betting environment in the U.S. would impact their local economy. The Massachusetts Gaming Commission released a white paper that details several aspects of a legal Massachusetts sports betting industry. The report studied the current sports betting industry, legislative movements in other states, and how the Commission would implement regulations. A major focus of the white paper was analyzing the New Jersey sports betting case, which ultimately lifted the widespread ban on sports gaming by voting PASPA unconstitutional.
While Massachusetts lawmakers began to more closely examine the prospect of legal sports betting in Massachusetts prior to the Murphy vs NCAA ruling, there has been some progress into legalizing sports wagering in the state. There are several bills that are being considered in Massachusetts that aim to legalize or study sports betting so lawmakers can better implement it and tailor gambling on sports to the state’s needs.
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Find out the latest bill proposals and legislative actions by reviewing our Massachusetts sports betting bill tracker below.
Current Massachusetts Sports Betting Bills
Sponsor: House Committee on Ways and Means
Summary: This bill would formally legalize both land-based and online sports betting in Massachusetts. Places such as casinos would have the right to offer sports betting and domestic online sports betting brands like DraftKings would also be able to operate in MA.
Excerpt: “Section 1. This chapter shall be known and may be cited as the “Massachusetts Sports 43 Wagering Act”. 44 Section 2. Notwithstanding any general or special law to the contrary, the operation of 45 sports wagering and ancillary activities shall be lawful when conducted in accordance with this 46 chapter and the rules and regulations of the commission.”
Actions:
- 7/21/2021 House Reported from the committee on House Ways and Means
- 7/21/2021 House Pending new draft of H3974
- 7/21/2021 House New draft of H3974
- 7/21/2021 House Ordered to a third reading
- 7/22/2021 House Rules suspended
- 7/22/2021 House Read third
- 7/22/2021 House Amendment 10 adopted, as changed
- 7/22/2021 House Amendment 19 adopted, as changed
- 7/22/2021 House Amendment 20 adopted, as changed
- 7/22/2021 House Amendment 16 adopted, as changed
- 7/22/2021 House Amendment 21 adopted, as changed
- 7/22/2021 House Amendment 27 adopted, as changed
- 7/22/2021 House Amendment 12 adopted, as changed
- 7/22/2021 House Amendment 9 adopted, as changed
- 7/22/2021 House Amendment 17 adopted
- 7/22/2021 House Amendment 2 adopted, as changed
- 7/22/2021 House Amendment 5 adopted, as changed
- 7/22/2021 House Quorum Roll Call - 160 YEAS to 0 NAYS (See YEA and NAY No. 72 )
- 7/22/2021 House Amendment 3 adopted, as changed - 159 YEAS to 0 NAYS (See YEA and NAY No. 73 )
- 7/22/2021 House Amendment 29 adopted
- 7/22/2021 House Published as amended, see H3993
Massachusetts Sports Betting Bill Tracker FAQ
Where Can I Bet On Sports In Massachusetts?
Though the state has not yet legalized sportsbooks just yet, sports wagering would likely be offered at casinos in the state. The state’s white paper on sports betting discusses prospective licensees and commercial casinos such as Plainridge Park, Wynn Boston Harbor, and MGM Springfield are on board with allowing sports betting.
Is Online Sports Betting Legal In Massachusetts?
Lawmakers are working to offer legal Massachusetts sports betting that is 100% online and state-regulated. You may recall that residents have been using online sportsbooks like Bovada for years, but the difference is that these sites are licensed offshore. The currently proposed legislation would study what an online sports betting market would look like in MA. At the current moment, using an offshore online sportsbook is still perfectly legal.
What Is The Legal Sports Betting Age In Massachusetts?
The legal Massachusetts sports betting age for land-based sportsbooks would likely be 21 years old. This is the same as the general gambling age in the state, as well as the age that residents must be when joining online sports betting in Massachusetts.