Massachusetts regulator to publish white paper on daily fantasy sports and online gambling

Following an informational forum earlier this week the Massachusetts Gaming Commission is preparing a white paper on daily fantasy sports and internet gambling technology for the consideration of state lawmakers early next year, chairman Stephen Crosby announced Thursday.

Crosby says the white paper will be “a discussion of the issues involved in the possibility of regulating not only daily fantasy sports but all online, Internet-based electronic gaming technologies” in order to understand the world of online gambling in an holistic manner.

He revealed that Commission staff has already started drafting the paper with a target of final draft editing sometime between Christmas and the New Year.

Crosby described the commission’s paper as “a really interesting project” and noted that other states are likely watching closely as Massachusetts plots a policy and legislative course in the world of online sports wagering.

Massachusetts Attorney General Maura Healey has proposed consumer protection regulations for the fantasy sports world, including a prohibition on players under the age of 21 and a ban on fantasy games based on college or amateur athletics. Healey’s proposed regulations are scheduled for a January 12 public hearing.

Legislative leaders agree daily fantasy sports ought to be regulated, but no specific legislative proposals have yet been brought forward.