An effort to come with sports betting on a Massachusetts economic progression bill rejected by the Senate on Wednesday.
The existing consultation ends Friday, but the Senate voted Thursday to extend the consultation until the end of the year, according to CommonWealth magazine. Sports betting will likely be presented as a separate bill, however, it is not certain that it will be included in the completed consultation. But now there is more time to consider sports betting and other vital laws.
Massachusetts would be the third state in New England to offer sports betting if only it could pass the legislation.
Rhode Island and New Hampshire will offer sports betting, however, their markets are limited by being controlled through the state lottery and without several operators deciding. Maine’s sports betting law was opposed through the governor this year, while the Vermont Legislature legally examined sports betting.
The Massachusetts House of Representatives act introduced cellular and retail sports with various carriers, adding “unrelated” (non-casino)-related sites. Bets can also be placed on state race tracks.
Massachusetts is also a primary market with rabid sports enthusiasts and championship-winning groups in all primary sports.
The Senate suffered a setback Wednesday after the House bill passed quickly, but there is still a chance that something could be done by 2020 if the consultation is extended.