Massachusetts Seems Likely To One Day Pass Sports Betting Bill

Discussion about a bill to allow sports betting in Massachusetts is "ongoing, and it seems a matter of when, not if, one will get passed," according to Michael Silverman of the BOSTON GLOBE. State Sen. Eric Lesser co-chairs a "joint committee on economic development and emerging technologies, where a handful of sports betting bills, including one from Gov. Charlie Baker, currently sit." There is "no telling whether a Massachusetts bill could suddenly gain momentum." But Lesser said that the "lack of actual legislative progress does not reflect the amount of internal talks on the topic." Lesser did "not want to forecast the chance of a bill being passed" before the current legislative session ends at the end of next July. He said, "It's under active consideration and I have conversations with my colleagues on a daily basis about the issue. There is no timetable. We'll work on a bill and report on a bill when it's ready" (BOSTON GLOBE, 11/15).

LET'S TRY THIS AGAIN: In Louisville, Marty Finley notes sports betting once again will "receive consideration in the Kentucky legislature next year, and one legislator is more optimistic of its passage." State Rep. Adam Koenig said that he will "file a bill that allows for legalized sports betting at Kentucky race tracks as well as mobile betting accessed through online applications." Koenig "filed a similar bill last year that would have legalized sports betting, online poker and fantasy sports, but it never advanced far enough to receive a vote." But Koenig said that there "could be more support and an easier path" in '20, as more states have legalized sports betting. He added that there will be a "sustained outside campaign to further inform people of the impact and the benefits of sports betting" (BIZJOURNALS.com, 11/15).