Legal Sports Betting in Massachusetts must receive formal approval from the governor by Thursday to secure a launch. Although there have been several delays in the domestic betting legalization process, it is on track for a joyful debut.
Governor delays approval
The national sports betting measure has been on Governor Charlie Baker’s desk since last week, as state legislatures just missed the deadline to introduce a resolution.
After several months of negotiations, lawmakers agreed on a proposal that would put the needs of bettors ahead of those of operators. The new legal framework for gambling is restricted to players over the age of 21 and does not allow the use of credit card banking.
Given that Governor Charlie Baker has approved the legalization of online and mobile sports betting optionsit is expected that the law will be passed with flying colours.
tired of waiting
Still, some worry that Baker didn’t sign the law. The governor could very well send this legislation back to the chambers with an extensive list of proposed changes. baker says
“[We are] We’re still working out the details and obviously we’ll be ready with that bill sometime in the next few days.”
And while lawmakers should take their time to negotiate the best deal for their constituents, there are fears this will result in further delays.
Looking for a schedule
Early anticipation of a sports betting launch coinciding with the football season has already been discounted and locals are eagerly searching for some sort of deadline.
Massachusetts Gaming Commissioner Brad Hill took the stage at a meeting last week and attempted to clarify what lies ahead in the regulatory process. He said,
“I just want the public to be clear that, at least from my perspective, I don’t speak for the entire Commission, but from my perspective, this is going to take a little longer than people are probably expecting.”
A… become legal sports betting state is not an easy feat. Beyond drafting and signing legislation, regulators need to draft and implement a licensing process. After that, they have to perform a series of inspections to ensure the launch goes smoothly.
To take time
Even with the nation’s fastest sports betting debuts, the gap between legalization and launch often lasts several months or longer. Sports betting in Nebraska, for example, received state approval back in May 2021 and has yet to be rolled out.
Future bettors are unlikely to be confronted with the arrival of domestic sports betting until 2023 or later. However, locals should rest assured that the wait will be worth it.
The Gambling Commission will meet next Thursday to discuss preparations for the future. We at SBL will continue to provide updates on this developing story, so be sure to come back and visit us!
Source: Mass Live