BOSTON (AP/WBZ-AM) — Gov. Charlie Baker wants Massachusetts to legalize betting on professional sports.
The Republican announced Thursday that he will be filing legislation that would allow the Massachusetts Gaming Commission to license the state's three casino operators to offer sports betting. The proposal would also allow other entities, such as daily fantasy sports operators, to offer online betting.
"Expanding Massachusetts’ developing #gaming industry to include wagering on professional sports is an opportunity for Massachusetts to invest in local aid while remaining competitive with many other states pursuing similar regulations," the Governor tweeted Thursday morning.
The measure would tax sports wagering in casinos at 10 percent, and online bets at 12.5 percent.
The Massachusetts Gaming Commission would oversee sports betting under the governor's proposal, which calls for the revenue raised from the taxes to go toward local aid to cities and towns.
Baker calls it a "commonsense" proposal.
A 2018 U.S. Supreme Court ruling overturned federal law prohibiting states from legalizing sports betting.
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