Hope For Massachusetts Sports Betting Legislation In 2021 Seems All But Gone

It is unlikely that the Massachusetts Senate will pass the state’s sports betting bill by the end of the year, despite the optimism of numerous residents and lawmakers.

In July, the House approved the bill known as H 3977 with a vote of 156-3. However, the Senate has prioritized other matters to address first. Consequently, the sports betting bill might not be considered until next year at the earliest.

The Senate has received its second sports betting bill in the past two years, following the rejection of the previous one in late 2020.

What is the issue in the Senate?

Senate President Karen Spilka believes that sports betting is not a top concern for the Senate given the numerous pressing matters on their agenda before the Thanksgiving break. Speaking to State House News Service, she expressed her stance on the issue.

We are required to carry out redistricting, finalize our financial records, and create a supplemental budget. Additionally, we must establish a more permanent Votes act since our current provisions expire in December. The progress of these tasks will rely on available resources and capacity.

During last year’s session, Spilka expressed a similar viewpoint when the Senate rejected the initial sports betting bill. She pointed out that pandemic-related concerns made the 2020 sports betting bill less important.

After the events that transpired in the legislature last month, it is highly likely that this year’s bill will face delays.

The legislature’s Joint Committee on Economic Development and Emerging Technologies had its first meeting in September following the House’s approval of the bill in July. Interestingly, this meeting was focused on “gaming legislation beyond sports betting,” suggesting that other gaming issues took precedence over sports betting in the state.

The sudden halt in the Senate has left many questioning the future of sports betting in Massachusetts, unsure if any progress will be made in the near future.

The future of sports betting in Massachusetts

As of now, it appears highly unlikely that sports betting will be legalized in Massachusetts by the end of 2021. With only six weeks left until the legislature’s recess on Thanksgiving, and the next formal session scheduled for January 5th next year, the hope for legalization seems to have diminished.

Spilka provided some insight on the bill, mentioning that the Senate Ways and Means Committee is currently reviewing it. However, it seems that the bill will be sidelined in favor of more urgent matters faced by the legislature.

While it is unlikely that progress will be achieved by the end of this year, the bill continues to enjoy significant support within the state. There is optimism that it will eventually be addressed during the session of the following year.

Last month, Massachusetts Gov. Charlie Baker expressed his endorsement for the legalization of sports betting on Twitter, just before the New England Patriots’ inaugural game.

In recent months, a major concern for Massachusetts has emerged, as indicated by his final statement. The recent launch of Connecticut’s legalized sports betting operation, along with Rhode Island and New Hampshire already having legalized sports betting and bordering Massachusetts, highlights the growing issue. Furthermore, if and when New York initiates sports betting, it may also become part of the list.

Massachusetts is lagging behind the rest of New England in the realm of sports betting, resulting in the loss of potential customers and revenue to neighboring states. The state’s slow progress in passing sports betting legislation further exacerbates this issue. As the Boston Red Sox progress in the American League playoffs, each passing day signifies yet another missed chance for Massachusetts to generate revenue, as bettors seek opportunities elsewhere.

Hope turns to next year

At present, the anticipation for legalized sports betting in Massachusetts remains unresolved. There is optimism that the bill may receive more attention during next year’s legislative session if the Senate successfully addresses its current agenda in the upcoming weeks.

Although there is support for the effort, there is no guarantee of success. Supporters will undoubtedly be hopeful that the bill will be passed next year, as this would spare them from having to fight for a third time in order to finally legalize sports betting in Massachusetts.