Massachusetts Lawmakers Get Ready to Discuss iGaming

Massachusetts could become the next iGaming state, heralding a new era for US gaming. As legislative measures that propose legalizing the vertical gain traction, lawmakers prepare to discuss the prospects of online casinos.

Lawmakers Prepare to Give iGaming a Consideration

House Bill 322 and its Senate counterpart, Senate Bill 235, seek to amend the Massachusetts law to regulate online casino gaming and allow for the licensing of iGaming companies. The brainchildren of Sen. Paul Feeney and Rep. Daniel Cahill, these measures would introduce a framework where online casinos can team up with local casinos to offer online gambling.

Per the bills, the Bay State’s three land-based casinos will be allowed to join forces with up to two operators. At the same time, the state regulator would be allowed to license four more companies.

Companies seeking to operate online casino gaming in Massachusetts should be prepared to pay the $5 million licensing fee. Licenses will be valid for five years, with five-year renewals also costing $5 million.

In addition to that, licensees would be required to pay 20% of their revenue as tax.

As Massachusetts’ iGaming bills continue to gain support, lawmakers are preparing to hold a hearing in the Joint Committee on Consumer Protection and Professional Licensure.

Could Massachusetts Become the Next iGaming State?

While Massachusetts could very well become the next iGaming state, the legislative effort could also fail, considering the fate of other similar bills across the US. America has largely remained reserved about the prospects of expanding iGaming and only a few states currently offer legal online casinos.

Proponents of expanding the online casino industry have argued that legalizing the vertical could solve state budget problems and raise funding for education and infrastructure projects. They have also asserted that regulated iGaming would create a legal alternative for those who already engage with black market iGaming operators that don’t even pay taxes.

However, opponents of the bills have questioned whether potentially exacerbating gambling harm would be worth the potential benefits. There are also those who have expressed concerns that legalizing online casinos could disrupt the balance of the US gaming industry and cause operators to cannibalize their revenues.

In Massachusetts, Jordan Maynard, chair of the Massachusetts Gaming Commission, recently spoke on the expansion of US gaming, arguing that state regulators are falling behind in their efforts to regulate the rapidly growing and evolving industry.