More details emerge on new Massachusetts online gambling bill

A few more details have emerged on Sen. Bruce Tarr’s new online gambling legalisation bill SD618 just filed in the Massachusetts Senate (see previous  report).

The bill appears to nix any online gambling enterprise that threatens the state lottery, including this proviso:

“Notwithstanding any general or special law to the contrary, a gaming license pursuant to Chapter 23K of the general laws may also be licensed… to conduct gaming operations via the internet, provided that such operations do not include or reflect gaming mechanisms operated by the state lottery program of those simulating or resembling slot machines, so-called, provided that such license obtains an Internet Gaming License pursuant to this section.”

The bones of the new bill also indicate that online gambling licenses, as is the case in New Jersey, would only be available to existing land casino operators who hold state licensing e.g. MGM, Penn National and Wynn.

Allied to the much publicised activities of the Massachusetts Special Commission on Online Gaming, Fantasy Sports Gaming and Daily Fantasy Sports – a task force set up to look at possibilities in these areas for the state – it appears that Massachusetts is now very serious about settling its position regarding online gambling once and for all.

The task force is mandated to deliver its conclusions to the Legislature by end-July latest, and Sen. Tarr – the author of SD.618 – is a member of the commission.

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