Online Gaming Bill Introduced In MassachusettsLegislation Would Allow Brick-And-Mortar Casinos To Have Online Betting |
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Legislation has come forward in the Bay State that would allow its brick-and-mortar casinos to offer games over the internet.
State Senator Bruce Tarr introduced Bill SD.618, which remains a shell proposal at this time. The legislation states that upon licensure casinos may “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.”
In other words, the bill would allow for online table games, including poker.
Right now, the only brick-and-mortar casino open in Massachusetts is a slot facility from Penn National Gaming. Las Vegas-style casinos from MGM and Wynn are currently under construction.
The state is also looking at bringing the lottery to the internet, which would come thanks to a separate bill.
Late last year, Massachusetts also created the “Special Commission on Online Gaming, Fantasy Sports Gaming and Daily Fantasy Sports” to study internet betting. That commission will present its findings to lawmakers this summer.
Massachusetts Gaming Commission Chairman Stephen Crosby is on the online gaming panel, and he has already signaled his support for an “omnibus regulatory bill” to cover DFS and online poker.
Should the state legalize online poker this year, it would be a remarkably fast feat. Just a handful of years ago lawmakers authorized brick-and-mortar casino gambling.
Other states in the mix this year for online poker are Hawaii, Pennsylvania, Michigan, California, New York and Washington State. Pennsylvania’s House passed an online poker bill last year, but it died in the Senate, which makes it the state most likely to enact legislation this year.
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