Survival of small businesses, racial economic disparities in Massachusetts, are key issues at sports betting hearing

Survival of small businesses, racial economic disparities in Massachusetts, are key issues at sports betting hearing

Article brief provided by Boston Globe
  • Michael Silverman, Boston Globe
June 19, 2021 2:55 PM
  • Michael Silverman, Boston Globe

The polished testimony on Thursday from heads of casinos and gaming companies, lawyers for professional leagues and presidents of sports teams…urging the Massachusetts legislature to adopt sports betting as soon as possible was to be expected.

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But over the six-hour hearing before the Joint Committee on Economic Development and Emerging Technologies, it was voices advocating for the survival of Massachusetts small businesses and for racially based economic disparities to be addressed that rose above the predictable fray.

“How many more special rules can you provide for MGM Springfield and the other brick and mortar casinos to allow them to take our business..?” asked Springfield restaurateur Bill Stetson, who added that casinos already are allowed to operate later hours than bars and can offer drink discounts bars cannot.