Menu
Betting

Massachusetts Gov. Baker Plans To File Permit To Allow Sports Betting

Baker’s proposal allows for unaffiliated entities to conduct online only sports betting after being licensedGETTY IMAGES

Massachusetts Gov. Charlie Baker said that he plans to file legislation that would permit people in the state to "bet on professional sports," according to Jacqueline Tempera of MASSLIVE.com. The proposal would "allow the Massachusetts Gaming Commission to issue a new sport wagering license to current resort casino licensees." The holders of the newly-created gaming licenses would be "allowed to offer sports betting online or create a contract with an entity that provides that service." Online sports operators would "need to be licensed as a gaming vendor through an agreement approved by the Massachusetts Gaming Commission." Baker’s proposal also "allows for unaffiliated entities to conduct online only sports betting after being licensed by the gaming commission under the current process." The proposal sets the application fee for an "initial license at $100,000, which would fund the commission’s administration of the application process." Once approved, an applicant would "pay a licensing fee of no less than $500,000 that would need to be renewed every five years" (MASSLIVE.com, 1/17).

DEEPER LOOK: In Boston, Michael Silverman notes Baker's proposal will "not allow current simulcast locations -- Suffolk Downs and Raynham -- to allow sports betting at their facilities." The proposed legislation does "not include royalties, or the so-called 'integrity fee,' of the quarter of one percent of each gaming dollar that professional sports leagues" have been "seeking in their lobbying efforts in Massachusetts and other states." Bets placed at sports books "would be taxed" at a rate of 10%. Online sports wagering entities and DFS contests "would be taxed" at a rate of 12.5%. The legislation would "prohibit wagering on college and high school sports, Esports, and amateur sports" (BOSTON HERALD, 1/18).

NO CONNECTIONS: In Boston, Andy Rosen notes the plan would make Massachusetts the "first state to allow companies to operate online sports betting without a financial relationship to an existing casino." That could "open up the market to new businesses, since companies could secure licenses without the participation of the established gambling industry." The proposal would also be a "win for firms" such as DraftKings. The DFS company is "keen to offer sports betting independently, without having to partner with casinos." The plan is sure to "draw some concerns from the state’s emerging casino industry." But the casinos may "not be spoiling for a fight over the issue" (BOSTON GLOBE, 1/18).

SBJ Morning Buzzcast: March 25, 2024

NFL meeting preview; MLB's opening week ad effort and remembering Peter Angelos.

Big Get Jay Wright, March Madness is upon us and ESPN locks up CFP

On this week’s pod, our Big Get is CBS Sports college basketball analyst Jay Wright. The NCAA Championship-winning coach shares his insight with SBJ’s Austin Karp on key hoops issues and why being well dressed is an important part of his success. Also on the show, Poynter Institute senior writer Tom Jones shares who he has up and who is down in sports media. Later, SBJ’s Ben Portnoy talks the latest on ESPN’s CFP extension and who CBS, TNT Sports and ESPN need to make deep runs in the men’s and women's NCAA basketball tournaments.

SBJ I Factor: Nana-Yaw Asamoah

SBJ I Factor features an interview with AMB Sports and Entertainment Chief Commercial Office Nana-Yaw Asamoah. Asamoah, who moved over to AMBSE last year after 14 years at the NFL, talks with SBJ’s Ben Fischer about how his role model parents and older sisters pushed him to shrive, how the power of lifelong learning fuels successful people, and why AMBSE was an opportunity he could not pass up. Asamoah is 2021 SBJ Forty Under 40 honoree. SBJ I Factor is a monthly podcast offering interviews with sports executives who have been recipients of one of the magazine’s awards.

Shareable URL copied to clipboard!

https://www.sportsbusinessjournal.com/Daily/Issues/2019/01/18/Gambling/Mass-Betting.aspx

Sorry, something went wrong with the copy but here is the link for you.

https://www.sportsbusinessjournal.com/Daily/Issues/2019/01/18/Gambling/Mass-Betting.aspx

CLOSE