Massachusetts Gov. Charlie Baker announced plans Thursday to file legislation to legalize sports betting in the state’s casinos and online.
Under the Republican governor’s plan, the Massachusetts Gaming Commission would regulate sports betting. The revenue – an estimated $35 million next year – would be earmarked for local aid to cities and towns.
MGM Springfield President Mike Mathis has said he’s anxious to add sports betting to the menu of gambling options at the state’s only Las Vegas-style casino.
"We view it as an amenity, an important amenity to deliver an overall experience," said Mathis.
A spokesman for Boston-based DraftKings called on Massachusetts to “seize the opportunity to establish a new national model of directly licensing mobile operators.”
Sen. Brendan Crighton of Lynn and Rep. Dan Cullinane of Boston, both Democrats, have filed their own bills to legalize sports betting.
Senator Bruce Tarr, the Senate Republican minority leader, has called for the creation of a special commission to study sports betting.
Rhode Island is the only New England state that offers legal sports betting.
Bills have been introduced in dozens of states after the U.S. Supreme Court last year overturned a federal law that had banned sports betting in every state except Nevada.
