North Shore Legislators Cheer Sports Betting Bill Passage

BOSTON — A pair of North Shore state senators hailed the passage of the long-debated Massachusetts sports betting bill this week.

The legislation, which is headed to Gov. Charlie Baker's desk after the House of Representatives and the State Senate came to a conference agreement on the bill in the final hours of this year's legislative session early Monday morning, will grant in-person licenses at gaming establishments, including casinos, racetracks and simulcast facilities, as well as mobile licenses through mobile applications or digital platforms.

Baker has long been in favor of sports betting in the state and is expected to sign the bill.

No timeline has been set for when the first legal bets can be placed on the Bruins, Celtics, Patriots and Red Sox.

It is estimated that sports betting will collect between $70 and $80 million in initial licensing fees for the state and an additional $60 million in annual tax revenue.

"Massachusetts residents are passionate about their sports," said State Rep. Jerry Parisella, House Chair of the Joint Committee on Economic Development and Emerging Technologies. "This legislation will allow fans to bet on their favorite teams but do so in a regulated manner that promotes responsible gaming, while bringing in millions of dollars of revenue that has been going to our neighboring states or to illegal online operators and bookies."

The bill calls for a 15 percent tax on in-person wagering and a 20 percent tax on mobile wagering.

The taxes (17.5 percent) will go toward the Workforce Investment Fund used to develop and strengthen workforce opportunities for low-income communities and vulnerable youth and young adults, and to promote stable employment and wage growth.

One percent of the taxes will go toward the Youth Development and Achievement Fund to provide financial assistance to students enrolled in and pursuing a program of higher education, and for after-school and out-of-school activities.

The rest of the funds will go to the existing Gaming Local Aid Fund (27.5 percent), the Public Health Trust Fund (9 percent) and the General Fund (45 percent.)

"This bill will create workforce development opportunities and generate new tax revenue sources to benefit our communities and residents," State Sen. Joan Lovely (D-Salem) said.

The final bill will also allow betting on college sports, with the exception of Massachusetts schools, unless they are participating in a tournament.

People must be 21 years old or older to bet.

The legislation includes a Gaming Commission feasibility study into allowing retail locations to operate sports wagering kiosks similar to Keno and the Mass. State Lottery.

(Scott Souza is a Patch field editor covering Beverly, Danvers, Marblehead, Peabody, Salem and Swampscott. He can be reached at Scott.Souza@Patch.com. Twitter: @Scott_Souza.)