There are a number of incredible states in America that play host to sports betting companies. New Jersey is one of the main states that people associate with sports gambling, but there are plenty of new gambling scenes emerging this year. One of the hottest topics right now is the push for sports betting in Massachusetts.
Sports betting is something that used to be incredibly stigmatized and underground, but it has blossomed into a very innovative and fast-paced industry. More people now than ever are getting involved with sports gambling, and this could be the perfect time of year for Massachusetts to get it going.
Today, we’ll be looking at the nature of sports betting in Massachusetts in more depth. We’ll be examining it from the perspective of gamblers and of legislators, and considering how regulated sports betting can benefit a state- especially in 2020.
What we cover
What do we current know about sports betting in Massachusetts?
Currently, there are a number of good ways to gamble in Massachusetts. If you’re interested in horse racing or dog racing, there are plenty of ways to do this in the state. There are also various other options, like scratchcards and statewide lotteries, for people to enjoy. Charitable gambling is also legal and encouraged.
There are a number of interesting casinos in Massachusetts, with MGM Springfield being one of the biggest ones. A number of casinos are also in the planning stage right now, and there are other intriguing options, like casino cruises too.
To put it simply, Massachusetts has an interesting gambling scene, with a fair few options and choices for gamblers to pick from. However, there are still a number of steps that the state needs to take in order to stay on top of the industry; namely, legalizing online betting and sports betting in Massachusetts fully.
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What did Massachusetts’ recent push to the Senate involve?
As pointed out in this handy article, the recent push for sports betting in Massachusetts has been incredibly interesting to see. An economic bill that totals over $450 million was passed in the state very recently, aiming to ensure funding for local organizations to legalize sports betting and aiming to support local businesses.
This bill came, of course, as a response to the financial strain caused by the coronavirus pandemic. The pandemic has caused massive disruptions for businesses all around the world, and has negatively impacted the state of Massachusetts financially. Legalized, regulated sports betting in Massachusetts could make a massive difference.
For this bill to actually be implemented, it has to be approved by the Senate- which did not go to plan, unfortunately. All language relating to sports betting in the bill was removed, and the push for sports betting in Massachusetts was pushed back once again. This news was bitterly disappointing to many people in the industry, of course.
While it’s gutting to see that not much progress has been made with sports betting in the state, it is good to see that there has been at least some support from officials in regards to legalizing it at some point. The conversation has been shelved for now, but it could be something that we hear more about later in the year.
Why is now such a great time to move towards sports betting?
To finish up, it’s worth considering why now could be such a brilliant time to move towards sports betting in Massachusetts- and for the other states who do not support it yet, too.
One of the main reasons why it would be great to see more sports betting legalizations is that there are lots of states who are suffering financially, due to the ongoing pandemic and strains caused by 2020. Legalizing and fully regulating sports betting would be a brilliant way to support the state’s economy, and to support local businesses too.
Moreover, the attitude to sports betting has changed dramatically in recent years. More people now than ever are getting involved with sports betting, both in terms of investors and customers. States who have already legalized sports betting have found great success so far, like New Jersey, for example.
As a whole, it’s likely that we will see more states moving to fully legalize sports betting soon, as the revenue from this industry could end up being essential for people to bounce back from the pandemic. 2020 has truly been a disruptive year for many industries, and some changes need to happen in order for the recovery to begin.
Summary
Overall, it’s disappointing to see that Massachusetts is not making much progress in terms of fully legalizing sports betting. Sports betting can bring so many benefits to a state, and proper regulation can make all the difference when it comes to protecting gamblers. We’re excited to see what happens next in regards to sports betting in Massachusetts, though.
As a whole, it’s intriguing to consider where the world of sports betting might go in the next few years. Despite everything that’s been happening this year, the sports betting world has managed to consistently put out great content, stories and partnerships for fans to enjoy. There’s bound to be some amazing developments in the industry as we finish the year.
If you are planning to head to a sportsbook or sports event as they begin to reopen, do make sure to keep yourself and your loved ones safe. While it’s brilliant to see so many places reopening and so many events being rescheduled in the sporting world, your safety and the safety of those around you should still be a main priority.
Are you a New Jersey resident interested in playing online in our state and taking advantage of the best offers? Check out our curated list of NJ casinos, NJ sportsbooks and online bonuses.
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