Senator Eric Lesser has filed a bill that he says will “bring sports betting into the daylight.”
Lesser’s bill would allow both in-person and mobile wagers at casinos, racetracks, OTBs and on mobile platforms, but prohibit wagers on college and youth sports.
The bill would call for a $1 million application for existing casinos and racetracks and a $2 million fee for online providers, the difference reflecting the investment brick-and-mortar casinos have to make.
Casinos and racetracks would pay 20 percent in taxes and non-casinos would pay 25 percent. Lesser anticipates that the state could collect ul to $35 million a year, which is “not a panacea” for the state’s budgetary deficits, he said.
It would include provisions to protect sports integrity and protect athletes and consumers.
Lesser commented, “It was really a balancing act in which we are trying to encourage as much competition, as many participants as possible, but also making sure that people who applying for a license are serious about it and have the financial capacity to handle safely this type of betting, to be able to appropriately address risk during this type of betting.”
The Bay State has three casinos: Encore Boston Harbor, Plainridge Park slots parlor and the MGM Springfield.
Lesser isn’t the only one to file a sports betting bill. Massachusetts allows the governor to file bills, and Governor Charlie Baker, a vocal supporter of sports betting, filed a bill prior to the deadline.
