Massachusetts Legal Poker a Step closer

Tuesday April 30, 2013 : ONLINE POKER LEGALISATION A STEP NEARER IN MASSACHUSETTS (Update)
 
Addition to budget bill progressed in preliminary 2014 budget by a House vote of 122 to 29.
 
The attempt by 18 Massachusetts Representatives to attach an online poker legalization amendment to a budget bill  is showing encouraging signs of progress, with the state House voting 122 – 29 on the preliminary budget containing the amendment number 365.
 
The amendment proposes the licensing and regulation of a maximum of three online poker sites, each paying $10 million in licensing fees for a ten year licence and stringent punitive measures if the licences do not produce operational activity within 30 days, making it likely that successful applicants will be established and experienced operators.
 
The proposal suggests confining players to those over the age of 21 years, and makes provision for ID verification, the security of data and player information, geolocation to ensure that the activity is confined within the state, and anti-money laundering and problem gambling requirements. Transfers between player accounts will not be permitted