Could Massachusetts Be On Its Way to Legalizing Online Gambling?

Legislators in the US state of Massachusetts are looking to pass laws that will legalize online gambling (specifically online poker).  State Representative Dan Winslow (Republican) put forward an amendment to an existing bill that if passed will allow the state of Massachusetts to expand their land-based gambling projects.  The amendment to the bill put forth by the State Representative will try to extend this new bill to allow online gambling.

Winslow explains that legalizing online gambling will provide an influx of revenue for the state as well as much-needed jobs.  Should this bill pass including the proposed amendment, it would make Massachusetts the first state to regulate and legalize online poker.  Winslow isn’t alone in his vision and pursuit.  Other legislators have put forth similar proposals in New Jersey, Hawaii, Florida, California and Nevada.

Winslow’s proposal includes 5 licenses, which would last for 5 years each.  The state would profit based on a 10% rake on each pot in which the state government would receive 70%.  Unique to this proposal, his amendment also proposes that players from around the globe would be able to play at these regulated and legal poker sites, not just Massachusetts residents.