Online sports betting news: Massachusetts, California, Minnesota
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With each passing year following the 2018 Supreme Court ruling repealing the Professional and Amateur Sports Protection Act (PASPA), a few more legislatures make sports betting legal in their states. In 2022, a few states are taking the inevitable steps toward allowing wagering at sportsbooks both online and off.
Massachusetts state legislature passes bill to legalize
On August 1, the wrangling between some members of the Massachusetts State Senate and House ended, with the two sides reaching an agreement that will legalize betting on sports in the state.
Stated Massachusetts House Speaker Ron Mariano via Twitter:
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)
— Speaker Ron Mariano (@RonMariano) August 1, 2022
California: Measures for sports betting on November ballot
In California’s statewide election to be held in November, two propositions have been approved for inclusion on the ballot for the statewide election in November. At present, almost all casino gaming is controlled by Native American interests and no online gambling is legal.
Proposition 26 would allow sportsbooks within the Native American-run casinos as well as the state’s racetracks. Proposition 27 would legalize online gambling, presumably with a licensing procedure similar to those employed by other state governments. One should note that Prop 27 is sponsored by Draft Kings and Fan Duel, typically the brands first into a U.S. state that has recently legalized sports betting online.
Minnesota: First online sports betting bill introduced in House, dies in Senate
As in California, Native American tribes control the majority of casino gaming interests in Minnesota. But state representative Zack Stephenson felt confident enough that he’s brought a majority of tribes together to back his new bill, the first in Minnesota to propose the legalization of online sports betting since the PASPA decision.
House File 788 went through in May, having passed by a vote of 70-57, but the Minnesota Senate did not off on 788 and adjourned its session in late July. The sticking point was the senate’s insistence on allowing the state’s two racetracks to offer an online sports betting platform.
