THERE’S AN ODD quirk in the law legalizing sports betting in Massachusetts. The Massachusetts Gaming Commission is allowed to license seven mobile sports betting apps, in addition to mobile apps that are tied to in-person gaming facilities like casinos and racetracks. But the law also lets the commission give an unlimited number of temporary mobile […]
Sports betting
Posted inGambling
Casinos ready to go on sports betting
AT A MEETING a meeting of the Massachusetts Gaming Commission on Thursday, the message from the state’s three casinos was clear: We’re ready to roll. To roll out sports betting, that is. The holdup, however, will be the length of time it takes the commission to develop and implement regulations for the brand new industry. […]
Posted inGambling
A loud lament over the latest gambling embrace by state leaders
THERE WERE WHOOPS AND HOLLERS from DraftKings, the state’s casinos, and lawmakers as the state legalized sports betting earlier this month. For Les Bernal, it was not a moment to celebrate, but instead marked a new low in how far Massachusetts would go to draw in revenue by exploiting those most vulnerable to the addictive […]
Posted inGambling
Let the betting begin – in a number of months
GOV. CHARLIE BAKER on Wednesday signed a law legalizing sports betting in Massachusetts, joining more than 30 other states that have authorized sports betting since the US Supreme Court overturned a federal ban in 2018. “Our administration first filed legislation to legalize sports wagering in the Commonwealth several years ago, and I am glad to […]
Posted inOpinion
Roadmap to go on sports betting
MAY 14 MARKED the four-year anniversary of the US Supreme Court’s decision that struck down the federal ban on state-authorized sports betting. For four years, Massachusetts – home to one of the most sports-obsessed markets in the country in Boston – has watched from the sideline as nearly every other state in New England has […]
Posted inOpinion
We see sports betting, financial literacy connection
SPORTS BETTING is coming to a town and phone near you. Whether you are on the side of those who want to bring sports betting out of the shadows, like NBA Commissioner Adam Silver who wants betting to be “legal and safe,” or you think this is the beginning of a doomsday scenario, let’s face […]
Posted inThe Download
Some tidbits on Senate’s sports betting non-vote
In what may be the ultimate inside story on Beacon Hill, new details are starting to emerge on why the Senate dispensed with a final roll call vote on sports betting legislation last week. Sen. Eric Lesser of Longmeadow launched the debate on sports betting and, per standard Senate practice, asked for a call of […]
Posted inUncategorized
Some tidbits on Senate’s sports betting non-vote
IN WHAT MAY BE the ultimate inside story on Beacon Hill, new details are starting to emerge on why the Senate dispensed with a final roll call vote on sports betting legislation last week. Sen. Eric Lesser of Longmeadow launched the debate on sports betting and, per standard Senate practice, asked for a call of […]
Posted inGambling
Questions continue on lack of sports betting roll call in Senate
STATE HOUSE NEWS SERVICE SENATE PRESIDENT Karen Spilka on Monday defended the Senate’s decision to pass legislation legalizing sports betting without making individual senators’ votes known. Spilka for weeks had said she wanted to build consensus on the issue before bringing a bill to the floor. The voice vote approving the bill indicates at least […]
Posted inThe Download
Lesser says ‘broad consensus’ explains sports betting voice vote
In a highly unusual move, the Massachusetts Senate on Thursday voted for a bill legalizing sports betting by voice vote – sparing individual senators the need to record their position through a roll call vote and denying constituents the opportunity to know where each senator stands. Eric Lesser, the Senate chair of the Committee on […]