Massachusetts moves forward with DFS bill
The state passed a bill in regards to the daily fantasy sports industry. Massachusetts has become the latest state legislature to formally approve real-money DFS activity.
US.- The General Court agreed to pass a measure that provides legalisation of the activity for players of the state. The legalisation is surprising considering that the legislature had not discussed any legislation dealing with fantasy sports to date. The bill still needs to be signed by Governor Charlie Baker.
The provisions regarding fantasy sports were included in an economic development package, called H 4569. The House passed the bill late Sunday night with a unanimous vote whilst the Senate passed the bill as well with just one vote for No.
Early in July, the statehouse was considering a commission to further study fantasy sports as a part of the economic package. But at some point, that package was amended to legalise paid-entry fantasy sports contests. Bills that have been passed so far in the US have made it to the finish line as standalone items. This marks the first time DFS legalisation was passed as part of a much larger package.
Unlike other bills involving daily fantasy sports in the United States, the measure in Massachusetts does not seek to regulate the industry and does not charge a fee for licensing or taxes. The bill includes language that coincides with regulations created by Attorney General Maura Healey from 2015 when she decided DFS gaming was legal.
The bill creates a special commission to conduct a study on fantasy sports and online gambling, which will be co-chaired by the House and Senate chairs of the Joint Committee on Economic Development and Emerging Technologies.
Massachusetts joins a list of states that have passed bills dealing with DFS this year that includes Colorado, Missouri, Indiana, Virginia, Tennessee and Mississippi.
