eGaming Amendment Massachusetts

A new bill is geared to expand land-based gambling projects in Massachusetts. On Friday September the 9^th, Dan Winslow (Republican from Norfolk) a State Representative filed an amendment to the bill that will permit Internet poker.

Winslow said that his proposed gambling bill enjoys the support of various experts within this field. Potentially this could boost the state’s revenue, create additional jobs in the software and regulatory industries and satisfy the demand for internet gambling in Massachusetts.

In all probability the Winslow amendment might come up for discussion next Wednesday the Boston media reported. Winslow said, “Hopefully Massachusetts will lead from the front on this one. There’s not one state in the United States that enacted legislation as yet that will legalize and regulate cyber poker.” eGaming proposals have been discussed in New Jersey, Hawaii, Florida, California and Nevada but have not implemented.

Winslow stipulated the details of the proposal five licenses should be awarded each that has a five year span. On every pot a rake of 10% would be levied and 70% of the rake should be given to the state of Massachusetts. The interesting part is that Winslow’s proposal is not restricted to intrastate internet gambling, if compared to other states in the U.S. Players from across the globe could sign up with the licensees. In addition, Winslow also offers numerous justifications for this internet gambling amendment. Many regard Poker as a game of skill, hence the reason it is different from other internet casino games. Folk from Massachusetts simply love internet poker. To ensure its veracity it must be regulated by the state first.

State Treasurer Steven Grossman strongly opposed Winslow’s proposals; he dubbed the plan as “audacious and irresponsible” and violates federal law. He said that the introduction of online gambling will effectively undermine the value of the three land casino licenses that are being considered in the main bill. He is also not in favor of the proposed amendment if it has not been discussed beforehand with officials within the legislature. A heated argument soon ensued between Winslow who accused the Democrats of secrecy and having discussions behind closed doors.

Should Winslow’s plan be implemented, the newly formed Massachusetts Gaming Commission must then develop model legislation and regulations for internet poker by the 1^st of July 2012.