Amendment #3, as changed to H3977

Diversity, Equity and Inclusion in retail sports betting

Representatives Ramos of Springfield and Tyler of Boston move to amend the bill in section 4, by striking out lines 757-768 and inserting in place thereof the following:-

Section 20. The commission shall conduct a study into the feasibility of allowing retail locations in the commonwealth to operate sports wagering kiosks. The study by the commission shall include, but not be limited to, an analysis of: (i) the economic impact of this chapter on retail establishments that serve alcoholic beverages for on premises consumption, such as restaurants and bars; (ii) which retail locations have the ability to operate a sports wagering kiosk; (iii) the economic impact to the commonwealth of authorizing retail locations to operate a sports wagering kiosk; (iv) the methods and availability of payouts of winnings by a sports wagering kiosks at retail locations; (v) the public health and safety impacts to the commonwealth of authorizing retail locations to operate a sports wagering kiosk; (vi) the potential effect of sports wagering kiosks at retail locations on problem gaming or gambling; (vii) the impact of sports wagering kiosks at retail locations on minors; (viii) the economic impact of authorizing this method of sports wagering on businesses owned by people of color; (ix) the public health and economic impact of this method of sports wagering as an alternative to the current black market, particularly in communities far from authorized in-person sports wagering; and (x) recommendations to ensure diversity, equity and inclusion are included in this method of sports wagering. As part of the study, the commission shall consult retailers, convenience stores, restaurants, women and minority owned businesses and small business owners. The commission shall report on its findings and submit any recommendations to the clerks of the house and senate, the house and senate committees on ways and means, the joint committee on consumer protection and professional licensure and the joint committee on economic development and emerging technologies no later than December 31, 2022.

And further move to amend the bill by adding after section 23A the following section:-

SECTION 23B. The Massachusetts gaming commission shall conduct a study on the participation by minority business enterprises, women business enterprises and veteran business enterprises in the sports wagering industry in the commonwealth. The study shall include, but not be limited to, an analysis of: (i) participation in activities related to the regulation, licensing and promotion of sports wagering operators; (ii) the level of participation of women, minority and veteran employees working for sports wagering licensees and employers; (iii) the level of participation by minority and women-owned businesses that contract with or provide services to sports wagering licensees and employers; (iv) any barriers to employment of women and minorities in the sports wagering industry; and (v) methods for increasing racial and gender diversity in the workforce in the sports wagering industry, including whether to set reasonable and appropriate goals and procedures for increasing the number of minority business enterprises providing sports wagering industry-related services to sports wagering licensees and employers. The commission shall report on its findings and submit any recommendations to the clerks of the house and senate, the house and senate committees on ways and means, the joint committee on racial equity, civil rights, and inclusion and the joint committee on economic development and emerging technologies no later than July 1, 2022.

Additional co-sponsor(s) added to Amendment #3, as changed to H3977

Diversity, Equity and Inclusion in retail sports betting