HOUSE DOCKET, NO. 3271        FILED ON: 2/18/2021

HOUSE  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  No. 3832

The Commonwealth of Massachusetts

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PRESENTED BY:

Lindsay N. Sabadosa

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To the Honorable Senate and House of Representatives of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts in General
Court assembled:

The undersigned legislators and/or citizens respectfully petition for the adoption of the accompanying bill:

An Act relative to the social and economic impacts of legalized sports wagering.

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PETITION OF:

HOUSE DOCKET, NO. 3271        FILED ON: 2/18/2021

HOUSE  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  No. 3832

The Commonwealth of Massachusetts

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In the One Hundred and Ninety-Second General Court
(2021-2022)

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An Act relative to the social and economic impacts of legalized sports wagering.

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives in General Court assembled, and by the authority of the same, as follows:
 

SECTION 1. Section 4 of chapter 23K of the General Laws, as appearing in the 2018 Official Edition, is hereby amended by adding the following clause:-

(42) regulate sports wagering.

SECTION 2. Said chapter 23K is hereby amended by adding the following section:-

Section 72. (a) The commission shall study issues including, but not limited to an assessment of: (i) whether problem sports wagering is a comorbid disease or condition with problem gambling or gaming; (ii) whether the individuals participating in sports wagering are different from those who participate in other forms of gambling or gaming; (iii) the impact of sports wagering on youth under the age of 25; (iv) the impact of sports wagering on college athletics and professional sports; and (v) the promotion of sports wagering and hiring practices of entities licensed to conduct sports wagering.

(b) (1) The commission may issue a limited number of sports wagering licenses for in-person wagers; provided, that such licenses shall only be issued to entities that currently hold a category 1 license pursuant to section 19 or a category 2 license pursuant to section 20.

(2) The commission may issue a limited number of sports wagering licenses for digital or online wagers.

(c) The commission may issue temporary sports wagering licenses to entities that currently hold a category 1 license pursuant to section 19 or a category 2 license pursuant to section 20.

(d) All revenues, including applicable fees and taxes, collected pursuant to this section shall be deposited in the Gaming Revenue Fund established pursuant to section 59.

(e) No person shall be permitted to gamble or place a wager on collegiate sports.

(f) Failure of a licensee to comply with this section or regulations promulgated by the commission pursuant to this section, shall constitute an unfair trade practice under chapter 93A.

(g) All information technology, including, but not limited to hardware and servers, used to operate or facilitate sports wagering shall be processed and stored in Massachusetts.

(h) The commission shall promulgate regulations necessary for the implementation, administration and enforcement of this section including, but not limited to: (i) the application and issuance of in-person and digital or online sports wagering licenses; (ii) the licensing of employees of entities licensed to conduct sports wagering pursuant to this section; (iii) the types and forms of sports wagering permitted; and (iv) identifying and addressing gambling harms and problem gambling.