Encore casino says online gambling bill is a bad bet for Mass.

Encore Boston Harbor expressed strong opposition to a proposed bill that would legalize online gambling in Massachusetts, claiming it would significantly harm physical casinos and lead to job losses. The bill, introduced by Rep. David Muradian, aims to regulate internet gaming, imposing a 15% tax on adjusted gross revenue and limiting licenses to existing casino operators. Supporters argue that it would curb illegal gambling and boost tax revenues, while critics, including Encore's executive director Eileen McAnneny, contend it could eliminate nearly 1,800 jobs and cost the state $450 million in lost GDP and associated expenses. A recent UMass study revealed an alarming increase in gambling addiction, with the rate of problem gambling rising from 20.

9% in 2022 to 28% by 2024. Former state representative David Nangle, a gambling addict, urged lawmakers not to pass the bill, citing concerns over the harmful effects of online gambling. Muradian countered that the bill would bring online gaming under regulatory oversight and protect players through age verification and monitoring for problem gambling. PENN Entertainment supports the legislation but insists that online licenses should be tied to brick-and-mortar casinos to protect existing jobs. The debate highlights the tension between potential economic benefits and public health concerns regarding gambling addiction in the state.