The push to legalize online casino gaming in Massachusetts has hit yet another obstacle after key officials pumped the brakes on Rep. David Muradian’s H4431 proposal. The delay appears deliberate, and the underlying reason is likely concern over the potential threat legalized online casinos pose to the state’s lottery revenue.
The recent delay stems from disagreement among lawmakers over whether the benefits of legalizing real-money online casinos outweigh the associated social and economic risks. The Legislature voted to extend the reporting deadline for Muradian’s proposal to March 16.
State Treasurer Deborah Goldberg, who oversees the Massachusetts Lottery, has emerged as a leading opponent of online casino legalization.
