Massachusetts Online Gambling Bill Would Not Allow PokerStars, Full Tilt Poker
A measure to legalize online gambling in the state of Massachusetts includes a provision that would prevent wagering firms that engaged US citizens post 2006 prohibition from obtaining a gaming license.
Among those companies that continued to accept business from Americans up until April 2011, PokerStars and Full Tilt Poker would be excluded under such a provision. It should be noted that New Jersey and Illinois both contained similar language in their own Internet gambling legislation only to remove such a provision later on in the process.
The Massachusetts measure has been attached to a budget bill that discusses anticipated revenues from brick and mortar casinos, due to go live in 2016. Lawmakers broadened the casino scope to include Internet card rooms. Under the current proposal, only three licensees would be issued to Web operators.
PokerStars last week applied for a gaming license in the state of New Jersey with hopes of acquiring Atlantic City’s Atlantic Club Casino.
- Aaron Goldstein, Gambling911.com
