By Matt McCarthy, 985TheSportsHub.com
Massachusetts could soon be the latest state to legalize sports gambling after a landmark Supreme Court ruling last year paved the way for expanded betting across the United States.
Gov. Charlie Baker plans to file a bill with the legislature that would create a new sports waging license in Massachusetts. The state Gaming Commission would then have the authority to issue that license to casinos.
The bill would only apply to professional sports. Under Baker’s proposal, betting on collegiate sports would not be allowed.
Licensees would pay a 10 percent tax on in-person wagers and a 12.5 percent tax on online bets. The bill would also tax daily fantasy sites like DraftKings and Fanduel, which are currently not taxed in the state.
“The administration anticipates this proposal would generate $35 million in revenue in the upcoming fiscal year 2020 that will benefit all 351 cities and towns in the commonwealth,” Baker’s office said.
Rhode Island became the first state in New England to legalize sports betting.
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