Massachusetts Gambling Authority Approves Expansion of Betting Options
Get ready, Massachusettans, as the launch of the state's sports betting market is on the horizon! With only a few days left, the Massachusetts Gaming Commission has been discussing the various events that punters will be allowed to wager on. Surprisingly, the catalog includes sports awards, professional drafts, and even the Oscars!
Bet on Awards and Drafts, But Not Esports or Russia
Once the market goes live, fans will be able to bet on sports events, along with sports awards, professional drafts, and the Academy Awards. The Commission has explicitly stated that bettors will not be able to place wagers on virtual sports, esports, Jai alai, chess, Cornhole, Olympic events, or Russian events.
While Commissioner Eileen O'Brien advocated for keeping sports betting strictly reserved for sports events, the final vote resulted in three votes in favor of the additional markets. This move makes Massachusetts one of the rare states where betting on drafts will be allowed.
Olympic Events Might Join the Lineup Later
The Massachusetts regulator is still addressing the issue of certain Olympic events that have subjective scoring systems. For instance, markets such as ice skating and gymnastics are popular in some states but are illegal in others. The authorities plan to revisit this topic before the next Olympics, giving them ample time to discuss and decide.
Furthermore, given the ongoing conflict in Ukraine, betting on Russian and Belarusian sporting events is currently not an option. However, this decision may be reevaluated depending on the market and the global political and economic landscape.
Massachusetts Sports Betting Kicks Off Just in Time for the Super Bowl
The sports betting market in Massachusetts will launch on January 31, at 10 am, to avoid rush hours and control crowds. Additionally, the state is preparing to launch mobile sports betting in March. However, discussions on gambling advertising are still ongoing, with the Gambling Commission pushing for stricter marketing regulations to reduce gambling harm rates.
Stay tuned, as Massachusetts prepares to join the growing list of states that have legalized sports betting! Remember, it's all about responsible gambling – bet sensibly and enjoy the games!
Enrichment Data:
With the Massachusetts Sports Wagering Act of 2022, the state legalized both retail and online sports betting, set to launch in early 2023. At least 15 licenses will be issued, with a tax rate of 20% on online sports betting revenue and 15% for retail. To bet, individuals must be at least 21 years old and physically located in Massachusetts. Betting on in-state college teams except during tournaments is prohibited. Only partnerships between casinos and racetracks and mobile operators are allowed for online betting, with no credit card deposits and no deducting promotional credits from taxable income. Massachusettans are subject to age restrictions and location requirements, but there are no explicit bans on betting on Olympic or Russian events.[1][2][4]
The "Better Health Act" under consideration aims to regulate marketing and potentially ban addictive prop bets, which could impact the range of betting markets offered.[5] No official announcements or legislation have been made regarding the inclusion of virtual sports, esports, Jai alai, chess, or Cornhole in Massachusetts' sports betting market.[3]
- Eileen O'Brien, the commissioner, advocated for a sports-centric approach in the Massachusetts sports betting market, yet the final vote allowed betting on sports awards, professional drafts, and the Academy Awards.
- Massachusetts will introduce sports betting on January 31 at 10 am, enabling individuals over 21 to wager on various sports events, as the state's sports betting market is one of the few allowing betting on drafts.
- With the Olympic events having subjective scoring systems, the Massachusetts regulator is deliberating on their eligibility for inclusion in the sports betting market, intending to revisit the topic before the next Olympics.
