A specially assembled commission is set to recommend an omnibus approach to the legalization of online gambling as the best one for Massachusetts’ gambling industry, OnlinePokerReport wrote on Tuesday, citing a press release from the Statehouse News Service.
The Special Commission on Online Gaming, Fantasy Sports Gaming, and Daily Fantasy Sports was appointed last year to measure whether the introduction of iGaming services would be sustainable for the state’s industry. The commission has up to July 31 to present its review and recommendations for further actions.
At a Tuesday meeting, most commission members supported the view that an omnibus approach to the matter is the best for the state. In terms of online gambling that would mean the legalization of online casino games and poker. In other words, if a law is introduced, interested online gaming and poker operators will be able service local players in a legal and regulated environment.
Just as in most US states, online gambling is illegal in Massachusetts. An iGaming bill was introduced in the state Legislature earlier this year but did not gain much momentum and support from legislators.
It can be said that it would have been a great surprise, if the bill had moved much forward. Senate President Stan Rosenberg said in a recent interview that he and his fellow lawmakers were approaching the matter cautiously and with due attention. The key legislator pointed out that the state Legislature did not want to engage in the legalization of online gambling without making sure that this would not harm Massachusetts’ young land-based casino industry.
It was only several years ago when the state adopted a law that legalized commercial casino gambling. Said law allowed for the construction of up to three full-scale casino resorts in three designated regions and a slots-only parlor in Plainville. It later on became clear that Wynn Resorts would build a hotel and casino complex in the Greater Boston area, and MGM Resorts International would construct and operate a property of this type in Springfield.
The MGM resort is slated to be launched in the fall of 2018, while the Wynn property is expected to be completed and opened in 2019. The Plainridge Park Casino slots parlor swung its doors open in June 2015.
Operators of the state’s commercial casinos have voiced concerns that the potential legalization of online gambling may harm Massachusetts’ land-based casino industry at a time when it will be trying to gain momentum and establish itself as a profitable one.
Although iGaming is a mere idea at present, a positive recommendation from the Special Commission on Online Gaming, Fantasy Sports Gaming, and Daily Fantasy Sports could be seen as a good start of a legislative effort that is yet to be developed.
