Special Massachusetts commission likely to recommend online gambling

ecial commission in Massachusetts is poised to recommend an omnibus approach to regulation of the online gambling industry, according to news outlet Online Poker Report.

The Special Commission on Online Gaming, Fantasy Sports Gaming and Daily Fantasy Sports was appointed last year to measure whether the introduction of iGaming would be sustainable for the state’s industry.

Online gambling is currently illegal in the state, while paid-entry fantasy sports is legal and regulated. An iGaming bill was introduced in the state legislature earlier this year but did not gain much momentum or support from legislators.

On Tuesday, however, Statehouse News reported that “most commission members who shared their points of view indicated that they would favour the omnibus approach” to iGaming. In terms of online gambling, that would mean the legalisation of online casino games and poker.

Some operators in Massachusetts, though, are voicing concerns over the damage that legalised iGaming could do to the wider land-based casinos in the state.

The commission has up to July 31 to present its review and recommendations for further actions.