MA commission calls for DFS to be legalized as part of online gambling
Commission says regulation of other forms of gambling is inevitable but should be put off for the time being
The regulation of online gaming is “inevitable” in Massachusetts, but the state should hold off for the time being, with the exception of DFS, a special commission has concluded.
The state’s Special Commission on Online Gaming, Fantasy Sports Gaming and Daily Fantasy Sports delivered its first draft report on Tuesday, advising the legislature how best to proceed with the legislation of online gambling.
It recommended that DFS be legalized, but only as a subset of gambling, a designation which fantasy firms have lobbied hard to shed.
In fact DraftKings which is based in Massachusetts said it fundamentally disagreed with the recommendation.
“No other state in the country has characterized fantasy sports [as online gaming],” James Chisholm, director of public affairs for DraftKings, said.
“DraftKings is proud to call Boston and Massachusetts home. We have more than 300 employees from 79 cities and towns across the state, and while we are committed to growing and innovating here, this provision, if adopted, could impact our ability to do that.”
The report went to say other forms of online gambling like poker and casino should not be legalized at present, but it would likely be “inevitable”.
“The Special Commission recommends not legalizing more expansive online gaming at present, particularly in consideration of the fact that two resort casinos are not yet open, but urges re-evaluation in the near future and legislative oversight to continue to evaluate online gaming and activity at state and federal levels,” the report said.
The Commission will vote on whether to accept the draft as final on July 31.