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Massachusetts Attorney General Martha Coakley on Thursday declared her opposition to legalized online gambling in the state. She fears that legalization will result in credit cards being used to buy Lottery products. State lotteries are exempt from current federal prohibition that bans most other forms of online gambling.
State Treasurer Steve Grossman is the co-sponsor of a bill (S. 101) that would permit real money online gambling in Massachusetts. Both Coakley and Grossman are the leading Democratic candidates for the 2014 gubernatorial race.
“Opening the door to credit card gambling will certainly help the big banks, but not Massachusetts families nor local businesses," Coakley said in a statement. "The convenience of gaming online combined with the use of credit cards to finance playing is a recipe for disaster. The potential to run up credit card debt gambling online will further weigh down many of those already struggling to keep their heads above water.”
A spokesperson from Grossman’s office claims that his bill does not expressly permit credit cards to be used for purchasing lottery tickets.
“Steve is opposed to the use of credit cards to purchase online gaming products,” said Grossman spokesman Jon Carlisle.
- Gilbert Horowitz, Gambling911.com
