Massachusetts lawmakers want the Bay State to explore the possibility of becoming the latest state to legalize online casinos.
A pair of companion bills, Sen. Paul Feeney’s SD 2240 and Rep. Daniel Cahill’s HD 4084, would allow Massachusetts’ three land-based casinos to each partner with up to two operators for Category 1 licenses. The iGaming platforms would not have to be co-branded with the brand of the category 1 licensee.
In addition to the six potential Category 1 licenses, a maximum of four untethered Category 2 licenses could also be issued.
Online casinos would be able to offer blackjack, card games, craps, poker, roulette, slots and other casino games. License-holders would be able to offer one online casino brand and a second distinct brand for online poker, or provide all their offerings under one skin.
Approved online casino operators in Massachusetts would pay $5 million for a five-year license and would be taxed at 20%.
The Massachusetts Gaming Commission (MGC) would license and regulate all iGaming activity. The MGC would also be permitted to enter into a “internet gaming reciprocal agreement” with other states or foreign jurisdictions, such as the Multi-State Internet Gaming Association, the U.S. shared player online poker pool that is currently made up of five states.
Massachusetts one of many looking to force online casino issue
The Bay State joins the rising swell of states launching a push for online casino legalization early in 2025.
Two separate bills to do so have been filed in Maryland, and lawmakers in the likes of Indiana, Wyoming and New York have all filed iGaming legislation in the last few days. Meanwhile, a New Jersey bill proposes legalizing and regulating sweepstakes casinos and gaming sites.
One state, though, has already decided against moving on the issue this year. Virginia Delegate Marcus Simon’s HB 2171, the House companion to SB 827, has been “gently tabled” pending committee work group assessment and is effectively on hold until 2026.
Massachusetts lawmakers also concerned with sports betting
Massachusetts legalized online lottery last year, with a launch slated for 2026.
It also already offers online sports betting and has nine licensed mobile sportsbooks: FanDuel, DraftKings, Caesars, BetMGM, Fanatics, ESPN Bet, Bally Bet, Betr and Wynn. The state ended 2024 with record monthly sports betting handle for the fourth consecutive month, up to a new high of $788.3 million.
Sports wagering is also the subject of more legislation that has been filed this month. Sen. John Keenan’s SD 1657 would implement many strong responsible gambling guidelines, such as banning prop and in-play betting, prohibiting ads during televised sporting events and making Massachusetts the first state to mandate affordability checks for online sports betting.
Keenan’s bill also would raise the sports betting tax rate to 51% from 20%. He suggested a similar tax hike last year, which was resoundingly defeated.
Another Massachusetts bill, SD 2428, seeks to ban wagering on elections effective immediately.
