Massachusetts lawmakers on Friday advanced legislation that "would allow people 21 or older to bet on professional and Division I college athletic events," marking a "major step in the pursuit of legalized sports wagering within the state’s borders," according to Rosen & Stout of the BOSTON GLOBE. The new proposal, which now moves to a key House committee, follows "nearly two years of internal deliberations over how, and whether," the state should legalize sports betting. The bill would impose a 10% tax on the "revenue operators make from in-person wagers at casinos and other brick-and-mortar sports books," and a 12% levy on "revenue from online bets." It also would place a 12% tax on "daily fantasy sports." If the measure passes, Massachusetts "would become the largest market in New England to legalize sports betting," ahead of Rhode Island and New Hampshire. Should House lawmakers approve it, the legislation "would then swing to the Senate." However, there is "no guarantee the Legislature will send a completed bill" to Gov. Charlie Baker’s desk "before the formal legislative sessions ends in July" (BOSTON GLOBE, 2/29).
TROUBLE IN THE PACIFIC: In Seattle, Geoff Baker noted as "public hearings opened Friday ahead of sending an emergency sports gambling bill" for Washington state's Native American tribal casinos to a final Senate vote, opponents "vowed to launch a fight that stretches far beyond legislative discussions." Maverick Gambling CEO Eric Persson "pledged to spend millions of dollars this election cycle to prevent the bill from becoming law." Persson’s company "wants sports gambling expanded to the 19 in-state card-room casinos it bought over the past year" (SEATTLE TIMES, 2/29).
