Sports betting legislation serving private commercial interests at the expense of citizens and good causes
PGRI Commentary: Take a look at the broad view of how sports betting regulation is evolving. Legislators do not seem to think of sports betting as gambling. They treat it more like a consumer product, a commodity that should be made as readily available and at an even lower tax rate than beer and potato chips. The articles below describe some of the various interest groups which are shaping sports betting legislation. Legislators in Maine, Minnesota, California and other states are trending towards delivering the sports betting franchise to the Tribes. Kentucky legislators are pushing a bill that would tax online sports betting at less than 10%. The charitable gaming industry and local clubs are concerned that sports betting might cut into their profits. The nation-wide sports bar “Hooters” is positioning to include sports betting as one of its amenities. Missouri legislators are exploring the possibility of making sports betting available in gas stations and convenience stores. After all, they reason, there are already thousands of illegal electronic gaming machines in these locations. Maybe regulated sports betting can replace them. Seems like a race to the bottom.
Legislator in Kansas explains: “Everything in this bill is a sweetheart deal for them. The 10% tax on sports wagering revenue in the Kansas bill was paltry compared to tax rates on casino sports book betting in New York at 51%, Pennsylvania at 36%, Tennessee and Arkansas at 20% and Maryland at 15%. From my perspective, this bill is written for the casinos, by the casinos and of the casinos. Great for casinos. Bad for taxpayers. Our goal as a Legislature should be to make a good deal for the voters. We’re not here for casinos. We’re not here for the lobbyists.”
Saturday, 09 April 2022
Legislature should pass a sports betting bill that is a win for Maine Tribes and the state
Thursday, 07 April 2022
Voters to decide fate of legalized sports betting in California, the market's 'crown jewel'
Monday, 04 April 2022
Sports betting's time may have come in Minnesota Legalization could wipe out a robust black market
Tuesday, 05 April 2022
Saturday, 09 April 2022
The time to legalize sports betting in Kentucky is now
Monday, 04 April 2022
Friday, 08 April 2022
Charitable Gaming Still Sticking Point In Minnesota Sports Betting Bill
Thursday, 07 April 2022
Missourians are one step closer to legal sports betting
Sunday, 03 April 2022
California: The 'Holy Grail' of gambling markets set to break American sports betting wide open
Sunday, 03 April 2022
Compared to lottery, sports betting in Arizona doesn't generate a lot of revenue