If one state legislator has his way, Massachusetts online casinos will join the Bay State’s legal gaming repertoire in 2025. Representative David K. Muradian Jr. indicated in an early August interview that he plans to put an iGaming bill into the pipeline in January when the next Massachusetts session begins.
Republican Legislator plans to introduce Massachusetts online casino bill in January 2025
Online sports betting has been a smashing success for Massachusetts, resulting in $118.9 million in tax revenue in fiscal year 2024 alone. Total handle from sports wagering in the commonwealth was up 54% year-over-year, according to the June sports betting report. Now, Rep. Muradian sees online casinos as the obvious next step.
Despite plans to introduce a bill in January that would legalize online casinos, Rep. Muradian, a Republican from Worcester, is realistic about the prospects. The chance of getting anything to the floor for a vote is slim, let alone getting it passed. Democrats currently control the state legislature, and lawmakers from that party have not shown much interest in iGaming.
Muradian admitted:
“Realistically, the process to pass iGaming could take a few years.”
Still, he sees online gambling as the natural evolution of legal gaming in Massachusetts. Muradian told Matthew Kredell of PlayUSA:
“We did casinos, we did sports wagering, we did iLottery. The logical progression is to look at how we can potentially legalize iGaming, especially when our neighboring states of Connecticut and Rhode Island are already doing it.”
Approval for online lottery may Pave way for MA online casino legislation in 2025
Late last month, MA Governor Maura Healey signed an FY 2025 budget that includes provisions for a state online lottery or “iLottery” for the first time. Many who formerly opposed such an idea ultimately made concessions, sparking the notion that iGaming could be next on the agenda for lawmakers.
Massachusetts state representatives and Gov. Healey have been eager to locate new tax revenue sources. By law, the tax money received from an online lottery will be earmarked to assist vulnerable children in the Commonwealth. Special projects such as that are perfect for funding through recreational activities such as lottery sales.
Massachusetts is expected to launch an iLottery in 2025, which will enable consumers to buy scratch-off tickets via an app and website and also offer new internet-only lottery ticket games or “e-games.”
NCLGS aims to provide online casino language for several states
Muradian is coordinating with the National Council of Legislators from Gaming States (NCLGS) to draft language for an iGaming bill for Massachusetts. The NCLGS calls itself “an independent organization of elected officials dedicated to non-partisan gaming awareness and education of lawmakers and regulators…”
Muradian said:
“The NCLGS iGaming model legislation will be helpful in crafting legislation in the future, not just for the Commonwealth but for any state looking to grow revenue without going on the backs of taxpayers.”
The NCLGS aims to increase legal online casinos and gaming across the United States. Currently, only 12 states have legalized online casinos, online poker, or table games of any sort. While lawmakers in more than 30 states have embraced online sportsbooks, many have been cautious about legalizing online casinos. The concerns from wary lawmakers include gambling addictions and potential underage access to those mobile apps.
Previous discussions of proposed online casino bills have limited such activity to 21 years or older. Massachusetts imposes the same age requirement on those looking to place bets with a sportsbook or play the lottery.
