Massachusetts the latest state to cross the fantasy sports finish line
Eight US states have now enacted paid-entry fantasy sports bills this year, after Massachusetts Governor Charlie Baker has effectively signed a three-year deal into law.
Rather than act as a bill purely to legalise fantasy sports, H 4569 was an economic development bill that included fantasy sports regulation, as the bill also lays out $500m plans for a capital grant program to provide public infrastructure grants among other policies.
Industry regulations are to be promulgated by Attorney General Maura Healey and there are currently no tax or fee laws in place, while operators are able to conduct business in the state until 31 July 2018, exactly three years after the bill was passed by the state’s General Court.
DraftKings CEO Jason Robins was quoted by Legal Sports Report as saying: “The legislation that Gov. Baker signs into law today reaffirms that the legendary sports fans in Massachusetts can continue playing daily fantasy games. At the same time, this daily fantasy sports provision gives DraftKings the foundation to further grow our business right here in Boston.”
This follows New York Governor Andrew Cuomo’s signing of a fantasy sports bill last week that made paid contests legal in the state, following the passing of S 8153 in June.
Fantasy sports are now regulated in 10 US states overall, as Maryland and Kansas already had regulations in place before this year, before bills were successful in Colorado, Missouri, Indiana, Virginia, Tennessee and Mississippi this year.
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