Massachusetts

[SlotsWizard]

It looks like it's the beginning of the end for online gaming here in Massachusetts. The bill proposed by governor Deval Patrick, H4307, is the one that seeks to create three land-based casinos within Massachusetts and, at the same time, criminalize online gambling for players. If this passes, which I'm sure it will, then anyone caught gambling online can get 2 years in prison and/or a $25,000 fine.

Text of the bill (PDF)

Any person who knowingly transmits or receives a wager of any type by any telecommunication device, including telephone, cellular phone, Internet, local area network, including wireless local networks, or any other similar device or equipment or other medium of communication, or knowingly installs or maintains said device or equipment for the transmission or receipt of wagering information shall be punished by imprisonment in a house of correction for not more than 2 years, or a fine of not more than $25,000, or both.
This section shall apply to any person who, from within this commonwealth, transmits a wager to, or receives a wager from, another person or gaming establishment within or outside of this commonwealth and any person who, from outside this commonwealth, transmits a wager to, or receives a wager from, another person or gaming establishment within this commonwealth.

If this passes it will only be a matter of time before "The Microgaming 11" becomes "The Microgaming 12".

Many thanks to the PPA for bringing this to my attention.

[lauriejim]

this is getting sadder, isnt that a pretty hefty fine and prison sentence for online gaming? i feel for you all im massachusetts.they prolly just want the ones that gamble online to go to the casinos comming and get the tax revenue....it all comes down to the taxes they are missing out on imo.......laurie

[lojo]

That totally sucks!!! Will the State own the casinos? If so, this can be overturned as unconstitutional I would think. (depending on the document of your commonwealth) If the state doesn't own the casinos, then this is even uglier. It is obviously asserting the long arm of the law to protect the business interests of a few goombas. REVOLTing.

[Mousey]

That is so.... so..... insane... I can see it now...

"Yeah, we caught ol' Fred Smith playing .18 a spin on an online slot. His grandson turned him in 'cause ol' Fred wouldn't give him $50 for a new video game. We're gonna haul the old fart in and spend thousands in taxpayers money, prosecute him, and throw his scrawny butt in jail alongside pervs, drug dealers, bank robbers, and rapists. The state of Massachusetts will be a safer and happier place for all."

So bizarre...

[BingoT]

I hear talk that Mohegan Sun Casino is going to be part of all this for the casinos in Mass

[SlotsWizard]

It looks like they are trying to attract big names to the area (although Mohegan could apply because they are not a Massachusetts tribe):

No casino license shall issue to an applicant who is a federally recognized Native American tribe located in the commonwealth or an applicant who is partnered with a federally recognized Native American tribe located in the commonwealth unless the Native American tribe has entered into a contractual agreement with the commonwealth in which the Native American tribe agrees to waive any and all of its rights under the Indian Gaming Regulatory Act, 25 U.S.C. sections 2701 et seq., and be subject to the civil and criminal laws, statutes, ordinances, and jurisdiction of the commonwealth with respect to all activities relating to the development and operation of the resort casino and the applicable rules and regulations prescribed by the authority.

Translated: A tribe cannot apply for a license unless they relinquish their federally-granted gaming rights for state-granted gaming rights.

The license fee is at least $200 Million and the tax rate will be 27% of the gross gaming revenue.

I can see the Jacks or Better paytable now:

Hand ............ 1 Coin . 2 Coins . 3 Coins . 4 Coins . 5 Coins
Royal Flush ....... 10 ...... 20 ...... 30 ...... 40 ...... 75
Straight Flush ..... 5 ...... 10 ...... 15 ...... 20 ...... 25
Four of a Kind ..... 4 ....... 8 ...... 12 ...... 16 ...... 20
Full House ......... 3 ....... 6 ....... 9 ...... 12 ...... 15
Flush .............. 3 ....... 6 ....... 9 ...... 12 ...... 15
Straight ........... 2 ....... 4 ....... 6 ....... 8 ...... 10
Three of a Kind .... 2 ....... 4 ....... 6 ....... 8 ...... 10
Two Pair ........... 1 ....... 2 ....... 3 ....... 4 ....... 5
Jacks or Better .... 1 ....... 2 ....... 3 ....... 4 ....... 5

[BingoT]

It was a partership of some sort and help fund it that's all.
They don't want to own it.

[KathyK]

OMG!! This friggin did it, I'm moving. Between this new info on the online gaming and being charged $6 a pack for cigs, it really blows to live in Taxachusetts!!!!!!!

[BingoT]

KathyK I rather be in Mass
Connecticut is not as good as Mass.
I could make more money doing the trip thing to the casinos from Mass.
But if Mass does get the casinos I don't know.
You want a part time job?

[KathyK]

LOL! Thank you for the offer. I'm just saying that I'm sick and tired of this state trying to control everything we do.

We have the highest tax rate on cigarettes, one of the most expensive places to live in the US and now they don't want us to be able to gamble online, but it will be okay if we go to one of their casinos or buy their lottery tickets. Sorry, I'm just venting.