The state of Massachusetts is getting in on the online poker action after reports have surfaced of a new sponsored attachment to the 2014 budget. According to a report by our friends over at LegalPokerSites.com, an attachment has been made to the budget which would allow for internet poker legalization and regulation in Massachusetts.
18 members of the House of Representatives in the state are sponsoring the bill, so the bill does have footing. The new proposal would include the term internet card rooms to the brick and mortar casino revenue section of the budget. This should open the way for online poker gaming options in the state.
The state of Massachusetts is just now opening up to gambling options and it has been slow going. But government officials seem to be gung-ho and are continuing from land casinos to online options. The state has legalized brick and mortar casinos and this gambling option will not be available until 2016. The 2014 fiscal year will determine which bidders will be providing these gambling options and licensing fees will need to be paid.
The sponsors of the bill have stated that if legalization and regulation for online poker was put in place then the state would be able to earn revenues in the tens of millions of dollars. The sponsors also believe the new option would allow for employment opportunities, programs for problem gamblers, an enhanced lottery system and much more. Sponsors believe that a large percentage of residents are already enjoying online gambling so they need to be earning their share instead of offshore companies.
With the new proposal, any operator of online poker options or provider of software would have to get a Category 3 license. A maximum of three online poker operator licenses will be available. This license would be valid for ten years. Renewal terms would then be up for discussion no sooner than five months before the licensing renewal.
With the new proposal, it seems s though the state may begin to prepare for online poker before the actual brick and mortar casinos are up and running. It will be interesting to see how far this legislation goes and how Massachusetts will fit in compared to other states in the same process.
100% up to $3,000 Bonus
Bovada is our most recommended ONLINE CASINO and POKER ROOM for US players with excellent deposit options. Get your 100% signup bonus today.
Leave a Reply
You must be logged in to post a comment.