Massachusetts Gov. Charlie Baker Signs Sports Betting Bill Into Law

On Wednesday, Massachusetts Governor Charlie Baker officially put his signature on a bill, thereby legalizing sports betting in the state of Massachusetts.

With the final approval obtained, sportsbooks can now proceed to apply for a license in the state.

A public meeting of the Massachusetts Gaming Commission on Thursday morning is expected to reveal further information regarding the process.

Massachusetts governor signs sports betting bill into law

Gov. Baker has made Massachusetts sports betting a reality as he signed the legislation after state lawmakers reached a compromise last week.

In a statement, Baker expressed his satisfaction with being able to sign the bill into law, mentioning that his administration had initiated the legislation to legalize sports wagering in the Commonwealth a few years ago. He also acknowledged the effort and willingness to find common ground displayed by the Legislature on this matter. Furthermore, he expressed his support for the Massachusetts Gaming Commission’s responsible execution of the law in the coming months and expressed anticipation for their work.

Upon hearing the news, Senator Eric Lesser, who played a major role in advocating for the bill, released the following statement:

Sports betting is now officially legal in Massachusetts following a lengthy four-year process. I would like to express my gratitude to Governor Baker for approving this legislation and acknowledge the dedication of my fellow colleagues who tirelessly worked towards making this a reality. The introduction of this new law not only provides residents with exciting opportunities to engage with sports, but also brings forth job creation, investment, and some of the most robust consumer and player protections in the nation. I have full confidence that this law will serve as a shining example for other states and eagerly anticipate its successful implementation in the coming months. It is an honor to have played a part in the team that successfully brought sports betting to Massachusetts.

Baker had a 10-day window to sign the bill after the Legislature’s last-minute approval on Aug. 1. Historically, he has shown support for the concept, even introducing his own sports betting bills in the past. Nonetheless, he chose to wait until the ninth day before endorsing this particular version of the legislation.

Massachusetts is set to gain a 20% tax on mobile sports betting and a 15% tax on in-person wagering through this bill.

Even though sports fans in Massachusetts cannot bet on local college teams for most of the year, they will still have the opportunity to place bets on their beloved teams during tournament season.

Mass. sports betting could launch by Super Bowl

Last week, the Massachusetts Gaming Commission convened to proactively address potential regulatory details that are awaiting Governor Baker’s official signature.

The timeline for the launch of sportsbooks in Massachusetts is still uncertain. Originally, lawmakers were aiming for a fall launch, but recent estimates indicate that it might take until early 2023 for the launch process to be fully completed.

However, it is still highly possible that football fans in Massachusetts may witness the introduction of sports betting prior to the conclusion of the NFL season.

Last week, the commission discussed the possibility of scheduling a meeting with casino officials to discuss the opening of retail sportsbooks at the state’s three casinos and two simulcast horse betting facilities, potentially allowing them to open sooner.

Will retail or online sports betting come first?

The launch of online sports betting in Massachusetts might face delays as further regulatory measures are required before it can be initiated.

Baker’s official approval was necessary to initiate the licensing process. However, interested applicants were advised to start collecting any potentially required documentation in order to speed up the process.

At the meeting held last week, the state gaming commissioners received a working document containing a timeframe of approximately five months from the release of applications to the completion of the initial process. It should be noted, however, that these timelines may change in the upcoming weeks.

Statements from Massachusetts Gaming Commission after bill signing

After Wednesday’s signing, statements were issued by the MGC.

Chair Cathy Judd-Stein said:

“On behalf of the MGC’s staff and my fellow commissioners, we would like to express our gratitude to the Legislature and the Governor for entrusting us with the responsibility of regulating this new industry. Over the past few years, we have closely monitored sports wagering legislation and made necessary preparations for our potential role. Starting this week, we will be diligently studying the interest in operator licensure to progress with this endeavor. I commend the hard work being done by my fellow Commissioners and the entire MGC team. Our utmost dedication lies in upholding the integrity of sports wagering in the Commonwealth, and we eagerly anticipate involving all stakeholders in a fair and transparent process.”

Karen Wells, the Executive Director, stated:

I am grateful for the support of the Chair and the Commissioners of the MGC as we strive to implement sports wagering. The Chair has publicly acknowledged the significant progress made by our team in preparation for the legalization of sports betting in Massachusetts. Our efforts so far have involved identifying over 200 potential regulations, adopting a framework based on industry-recognized technical standards, establishing the necessary infrastructure for investigating and licensing applicants, initiating the recruitment process for a Chief of Sports Wagering, and scheduling public meetings. With the enactment of a law that outlines our regulatory responsibilities, we will collaborate with our stakeholders to efficiently establish this new industry, prioritizing integrity, player safety, and consumer protection.