SECTION 1. Purpose
The purpose of this act is to align the legal gambling age with the age of adulthood, granting individuals 18 years of age the same rights and responsibilities as other legal adults in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. Additionally, this act aims to increase state revenue by keeping gambling-related spending within Massachusetts, preventing the loss of economic activity to neighboring states such as New Hampshire, Rhode Island, and Connecticut, where individuals under 21 can legally gamble.
SECTION 2. Amendment to Gambling Age Laws
(a) Chapter 23K, Section 45 of the General Laws is hereby amended by striking the word “twenty-one (21)” wherever it appears and inserting in place thereof the word “eighteen (18).”
(b) Any other applicable laws or regulations setting the minimum gambling age at 21 shall be amended accordingly to reflect the new legal age of 18.
SECTION 3. Encouraging Responsible Gambling
(a) The Massachusetts Gaming Commission shall develop and implement educational programs targeting young adults to promote responsible gambling habits.
(b) All licensed gambling establishments must provide information on problem gambling resources, including the Massachusetts Council on Gaming and Health.
(c) A portion of gambling tax revenue shall be allocated to programs that support gambling addiction prevention and treatment.
SECTION 4. Rights and Responsibilities
Individuals aged 18 and older shall be granted the legal right to engage in legal gambling activities within the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. They shall also be subject to all penalties and liabilities associated with these activities.
SECTION 5. Effective Date
This act shall take effect 60 days after its passage.
SECTION 6. Severability
If any provision of this act or its application is found to be invalid, such invalidity shall not affect other provisions or applications of the act, which shall remain in full force and effect.
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