The COVID19 pandemic has made many legislatures to consider difficult decisions and the Massachusetts Legislature is no different. The Legislature has amended the Sports Wagering Bill that was put forward last week. It has now added provisions to legalize online lottery sales. However, it has also doubled the taxation for online betting.
The bill was introduced last week considering new economic development. The bill also had a section of legalizing the sports wagering in the state. The bill was sponsored by the Massachusetts House Committee on Ways and Means. The H.4879 bill was designed to propose growth and economic development. It also had provisions to amend the Massachusetts Sports Wagering Act. As per the provisions, the state would legalize online, mobile, and land-based betting in the state.
The house adopted the bill with a series of new amendments including the lottery legalization in an overwhelming 157-1 vote.
Source: https://www.igamingbusiness.com/news/ma-amendments-double-betting-tax-and-add-ilottery