Massachusetts is the latest New England state in the sports betting game now. Maine supporters say they are a step closer to becoming a member of the fraternity. But not everyone in the state is on that page.
On January 31, the Maine Gambling Control Unit (MGCU) held its final public hearing on the rules that will govern sports wagering in Maine. This could mean the first wagers can be placed by summertime.
Only a few proposed sports gambling rules were questioned before the MGCU—one would require license applicants to submit recent state and federal tax returns. Tribal leaders and broadcasters believe the recommended rules go too far.
“Sovereign nations, native nations, do not pay state and federal taxes like other entities to be licensed under these rules,” Passamaquoddy Chief William Nicholas told WGME. “Yet the rules do not account for the very real differences.”
Another rule opposed by broadcasters and tribes prohibits advertising sports gambling on college campuses and also limits the amount of ads on local television. “It’s a legal activity, and as long as the advertising is truthful and not misleading, then it’s protected by the First Amendment,” Maine Association of Broadcasters President Tim Moore told WGME.
Moore says advertising rules should rank as the strictest in the country for sports betting. “That means no celebrity endorsements and a 10-day advance approval by the state of all TV ads before they run. For the Native American tribes, it’s very unfair to them, because it leaves them without the promotional ammunition that they need to get the word out.”
Under the law, the state will bring in 10 percent of the total revenue from all sports bets placed. March 3 is the deadline to submit written comments on the proposed rules.
“We don’t necessarily want to be inundated with all this glitz and glamor on TV, and every other commercial being about this, that and the other thing,” MGCU Executive Director Milton Champion said. “If we feel that it’s viable or it’s doable, then we’ll make those changes. If not, we’ll have the rationale as to why we didn’t.”
Maine’s four tribes have the exclusive rights to online sports betting. It also allows sports betting at Maine’s two casinos and soon to be five off-track betting sites.
“Today was an indication that we’re going to be able to get this done sooner rather than later,” Champion said. “You know, I’d really like to do that. It would be nice to roll this out in like June or July.”
Champion said the agency will consider adjustments to their rules.
“If we feel that it’s viable or it’s doable, then we’ll make those changes. If not, we’ll have the rationale as to why we didn’t,” Champion said.
In neighboring news, Vermont is hoping to bring up the rear when it comes to sports betting.
Legislation is in the Legislature. Hearings and research last month delivered a report calling for regulated sports betting, according to Pechanga.net.
Currently, online sports betting is legal in all three states that border Vermont. Rep. Matthew Birong is responsible for introducing the bill, which has nine co-sponsors. The bill lies in the House’s Committee on Government Operations and Military Affairs. Birong is the vice-chair of that committee which was expected to approve the bill on February 2.
The highlights:
- The Vermont Department of Liquor and Lottery would be the regulators.
- The state would issue between two and six licenses for online operators.
- Wagers on college games would be permitted.
- Licenses run $275,000 a year.
Other factors like the tax rate, promotional spending deductions and other elements of sports betting are yet to be hashed out, under the guidance of the regulatory body.
The bill does have an extensive section devoted to responsible gambling, however. According to Calvin Cutler of WCAX, Birong plans to utilize some of the tax revenue to pay for responsible gaming support.
“The conversation around sports wagering is similar to that of cannabis,” Birong said. “Get it out of the dark markets, provide support for people, consumer protection, [and] capture the revenue.”
The bill will set aside at least $250,000 a year for a Responsible Gaming Special Fund; the legislation specifies 2.5 percent of state tax. The proposed law sends these resources to the Vermont Department of Mental Health to use those resources as a free helpline with online chat and text messaging system, among other resources.
Still, the bill has to make it through both houses. But Governor Phil Scott gives it a thumbs up, if that means something.
