Massachusetts Moves to Include Small Business Owners in Sports Betting... And More

In Florida, the state legislature made an overture to include small business owners in the online sports betting industry. The same actions are being considered in Arizona. The reaction in both states has been positive enough to open to door to possible approval of online gambling in those two states when the barriers seemed insurmountable.

Now, it looks like the Massachusetts legislature is considering similar actions. Just this week, a pair of newly elected state senators moved forward to introduce legislation that would allow small business establishments like bars to seek licensing to take sports bets. While the legislation is getting a warm reception from small business owners, it is hard to tell how much traction the bill is getting from other state representatives.

To date, only Washington D.C. allows small businesses to take bets. To move forward in Massachusetts, it is clear that small business owners will have to go up against the mega retail and online casino operators that are currently controlling the sports betting action. That is going to be a tall task with so much revenue on the line.

It is important to note that this bill is among 13 other bills that are currently going through the state legislature. All 14 bills have provisions to address some aspect of the online gambling business.