After discussion around legalizing'sports betting had dragged on for years in Massachusetts, the General Court on Sunday reached a two-minute warning of sorts and punched the ball into the end zone, according to a tweet from House Speaker Ron Mariano.
According to Mariano, the deal “will legalize wagering on professional and collegiate sports,” but VSiN reported that wagering on in-state college teams will be prohibited. The question of whether or not to allow betting on college teams has been a major sticking point, with the Senate pushing to ban betting on all college sports and the House in favor of allowing betting on all. The compromise will likely draw criticism from stakeholders who believe that not legalizing across the board still allows the black market to thrive.
Lawmakers tasked in May with negotiating an agreement on two divergent wagering proposals found themselves battling for time to make a deal while also crafting an $11 billion infrastructure bill and dealing with far weightier issues – gun control and energy among them – on the final day of the session.
I am proud to announce that the Sports Betting Conference Committee has reached an agreement on legislation that will legalize wagering on professional and collegiate sports in Massachusetts, bringing the immense economic benefits of a legal sports betting industry to MA. (1/2)