- Joined
- Jan 14, 2008
- Messages
- 61,318
SOURCE FULL STORY
Massachusetts has done the legwork
Of all the states considering expanded gambling, Massachusetts is perhaps the best-equipped to get it right. Few others have devoted more time and energy to studying the issue.
Forward-thinking regulators
Also working in Massachusetts’ favor is a gaming commission that’s built on transparency and mitigating the harms of gambling.
The MGC has been applauded for its thoughtful approach to gambling and willingness to challenge the status quo. As a prime example, it implemented two responsible gaming pilot programs at Massachusetts casinos.
The agency is somewhat in flux following the September resignation of its first and only chairman, Stephen Crosby.
Still, the MGC is considered one of the top regulatory bodies in gambling. It has overcome the tumult of that surprising resignation and continued the positive progress it made during Crosby’s tenure.
The clock is ticking for Massachusetts
Massachusetts has already lost its chance to be a regional first-mover.
Massachusetts has been considered online gambling and online lottery legalization going back as far as 2013. The closest it came to passage was an online lottery bill that cleared the Senate in 2016 before dying in the House.
The lack of a law does not stem from a lack of effort, nor a lack of advocates.
State Treasurer Deborah Goldberg has repeatedly cautioned that Massachusetts’ lottery revenue will erode if online sales aren’t authorized.
During his tenure, Crosby had long advocated for an omnibus approach to gaming legalization. The former director often said that the best approach is a comprehensive approach — one that casts a wide net over gambling and gives regulators the nimbleness they need to deal with new and emerging products.
“What difference does it make as a matter of public policy whether you gamble on the throw of dice or the throw of a dart,” Crosby said in a 2016 interview. “Does it make any difference that one is skillful and one is pure chance? Should they be regulated any [differently]? I just don’t get that.”
Massachusetts has done the legwork
Of all the states considering expanded gambling, Massachusetts is perhaps the best-equipped to get it right. Few others have devoted more time and energy to studying the issue.
- The state’s casino expansion law included the most comprehensive gambling research project in US history.
- The state hosted a daylong internet gambling forum in 2014.
- The Massachusetts Gaming Commission (MGC) has commissioned white papers on DFS (here) and Sports Betting (here).
- The state convened a special commission to study online gambling in 2016. The commission released its recommendations in 2017.
Forward-thinking regulators
Also working in Massachusetts’ favor is a gaming commission that’s built on transparency and mitigating the harms of gambling.
The MGC has been applauded for its thoughtful approach to gambling and willingness to challenge the status quo. As a prime example, it implemented two responsible gaming pilot programs at Massachusetts casinos.
The agency is somewhat in flux following the September resignation of its first and only chairman, Stephen Crosby.
Still, the MGC is considered one of the top regulatory bodies in gambling. It has overcome the tumult of that surprising resignation and continued the positive progress it made during Crosby’s tenure.
The clock is ticking for Massachusetts
Massachusetts has already lost its chance to be a regional first-mover.
- New Hampshire legalized online lottery in 2017 and launched its first games in 2018.
- Rhode Island launched Sportsbooks earlier this year and is progressing toward mobile Sports Betting.
- Connecticut is considering Sports Betting (retail and online) as well as online gambling.
Massachusetts has been considered online gambling and online lottery legalization going back as far as 2013. The closest it came to passage was an online lottery bill that cleared the Senate in 2016 before dying in the House.
The lack of a law does not stem from a lack of effort, nor a lack of advocates.
State Treasurer Deborah Goldberg has repeatedly cautioned that Massachusetts’ lottery revenue will erode if online sales aren’t authorized.
During his tenure, Crosby had long advocated for an omnibus approach to gaming legalization. The former director often said that the best approach is a comprehensive approach — one that casts a wide net over gambling and gives regulators the nimbleness they need to deal with new and emerging products.
“What difference does it make as a matter of public policy whether you gamble on the throw of dice or the throw of a dart,” Crosby said in a 2016 interview. “Does it make any difference that one is skillful and one is pure chance? Should they be regulated any [differently]? I just don’t get that.”
