Testimony
"First, replacing this illegal market with a safe, legal sports betting market should be a primary objective."
"Massachusetts residents are already betting on sports through offshore sites that are not regulated, pay no taxes, generate no jobs, and most importantly, offer no consumer protections. The single best way to stamp out the illegal betting market - and increase tax revenue and the broader economic opportunity - is to authorize a competitive, legal mobile sports wagering market."
"In summary, the paramount goal of comprehensive sports betting legislation should be eliminating the illegal market and capturing as much of that activity on legal, regulated, and economically beneficial platforms as possible."
Context excerpts: "We would encourage you to focus on three main points: First, replacing this illegal market with a safe, legal sports betting market should be a primary objective. Massachusetts residents are already betting on sports through offshore sites that are not regulated, pay no taxes, generate no jobs, and most importantly, offer no consumer protections." "All the available evidence shows that mobile sports wagering is the key component in bringing consumers into a legal market and stamping out illegal offshore options." "In summary, the paramount goal of comprehensive sports betting legislation should be eliminating the illegal market and capturing as much of that activity on legal, regulated, and economically beneficial platforms as possible. An open, competitive legal mobile sports betting market that permits real competition among experienced operators is the best way to stamp out the illegal market, protect consumers, generate tax revenue and continue job growth for the benefit of all Massachusetts residents."
"Additionally, the legislature should authorize iGaming, which taps into a potential revenue stream currently funneling to illegal offshore operators that lack any of the consumer protections a regulated operator would provide."
"Advertising and team sponsorships are an important part of attracting customers from the illegal market, thereby increasing state tax revenue and providing critical consumer protection and oversight."
"With a 51% tax rate, regulated operators are at a massive disadvantage when compared to illegal offshore operators, who pay no taxes, offer no responsible gaming measures, and take no steps to ensure they are not offering bets to minors or excluded persons."
"For all these reasons, as well as the critical importance of providing consumer protections that are not found in the illegal online casino market, the time for New York to legalize and regulate iGaming is now."
Context excerpts: "We believe that a tax rate that is more in line with the rest of the market would strike the balance between the state's need to meet or exceed its fiscal projections while giving licensed operators the ability to provide a best-in-class experience for their customers, one that rivals any other state. Additionally, the legislature should authorize iGaming, which taps into a potential revenue stream currently funneling to illegal offshore operators that lack any of the consumer protections a regulated operator would provide." "Of course, much like promotional credits, advertising and team sponsorships are an important part of attracting customers from the illegal market, thereby increasing state tax revenue and providing critical consumer protection and oversight." "With a 51% tax rate, regulated operators are at a massive disadvantage when compared to illegal offshore operators, who pay no taxes, offer no responsible gaming measures, and take no steps to ensure they are not offering bets to minors or excluded persons." "For all these reasons, as well as the critical importance of providing consumer protections that are not found in the illegal online casino market, the time for New York to legalize and regulate iGaming is now."
"Together with the State, FanDuel and other legal operators like DraftKings, offer New Yorkers safe mobile sports wagering with critical consumer protections in place, which help eradicate illegal sports betting sites while generating real economic benefits for the State."
"It's safe to assume that until last year, anywhere from one-third to one-half of that money was being wagered in the illegal market - whether through offshore online companies or through local bookies."
"Importantly, with legal options like FanDuel available, bettors now have access to responsible gaming tools that simply don't exist on illegal sites."
Context excerpts: "Together with the State, FanDuel and other legal operators like DraftKings, offer New Yorkers safe mobile sports wagering with critical consumer protections in place, which help eradicate illegal sports betting sites while generating real economic benefits for the State." "It's safe to assume that until last year, anywhere from one-third to one-half of that money was being wagered in the illegal market - whether through offshore online companies or through local bookies." "Importantly, with legal options like FanDuel available, bettors now have access to responsible gaming tools that simply don't exist on illegal sites."
"In opening a lawful market for sports betting, we cannot overlook the fact that a current market for those who want to bet on sports online exists today - an illegal market run by offshore sites has been thriving for years and continues to advertise heavily to New York residents."
"These illegal mobile sportsbooks are not regulated, do not provide any tax revenue, and do not provide any consumer protections."
"Accordingly, we support the establishment of a robust mobile sports betting market as the single most effective way to defeat the illegal market, protect consumers and maximize state tax revenue and business growth."
Context excerpts: "In opening a lawful market for sports betting, we cannot overlook the fact that a current market for those who want to bet on sports online exists today - an illegal market run by offshore sites has been thriving for years and continues to advertise heavily to New York residents." "These illegal mobile sportsbooks are not regulated, do not provide any tax revenue, and do not provide any consumer protections." "Accordingly, we support the establishment of a robust mobile sports betting market as the single most effective way to defeat the illegal market, protect consumers and maximize state tax revenue and business growth."
"We look forward to continuing to work with the Committee and with the Department of Consumer Protection on generating tax revenue and investment in the state, protecting Connecticut consumers, and eradicating the illegal wagering market."
"Promotions - and advertisements of those promotions - are critical tools to convert individuals who access the illegal market to legal, licensed operators."
Context excerpts: "We look forward to continuing to work with the Committee and with the Department of Consumer Protection on generating tax revenue and investment in the state, protecting Connecticut consumers, and eradicating the illegal wagering market." "Such a prohibition on offering or advertising promotions would hinder the ability of Connecticut's legal, licensed, regulated sports wagering operators to compete with illegal offshore operators... Promotions - and advertisements of those promotions - are critical tools to convert individuals who access the illegal market to legal, licensed operators."
"The result of this increased player engagement would be more gross gaming revenue (GGR) and, ultimately, more tax revenue for the state."
"In a well-regulated market, players benefit from a variety of competitive and innovative products, as well as the robust problem gaming resources and player protections offered by these regulated companies that are not available in illegal markets."
Context excerpts: "The result of this increased player engagement would be more gross gaming revenue (GGR) and, ultimately, more tax revenue for the state." "In a well-regulated market, players benefit from a variety of competitive and innovative products, as well as the robust problem gaming resources and player protections offered by these regulated companies that are not available in illegal markets."
"Offshore websites are entirely unregulated, pay no taxes and may put customers' money and personal information at risk of being stolen."
"Addressing all of these issues in a smart and forward-thinking manner will help Kansas defeat the offshore market, protect consumers and maximize state tax revenue and business growth."
"Allowing legal online options will significantly increase tax revenues for the state of Kansas."
Context excerpts: "Offshore websites are entirely unregulated, pay no taxes and may put customers' money and personal information at risk of being stolen." "Addressing all of these issues in a smart and forward-thinking manner will help Kansas defeat the offshore market, protect consumers and maximize state tax revenue and business growth." "Allowing legal online options will significantly increase tax revenues for the state of Kansas."
"Today, billions of dollars are wagered annually on unregulated sites in Maryland and elsewhere that are easily accessible to minors and lack responsible gambling protections."
"By legalizing iGaming, Maryland can provide a safer, regulated alternative, ensuring that consumers are protected while the state collects tax revenues from vetted gaming operators."
Context excerpts: "Today, billions of dollars are wagered annually on unregulated sites in Maryland and elsewhere that are easily accessible to minors and lack responsible gambling protections. By legalizing iGaming, Maryland can provide a safer, regulated alternative, ensuring that consumers are protected while the state collects tax revenues from vetted gaming operators."
"No study of sports betting would be complete without including an analysis of the overseas operators, sweepstakes companies, and other unlicensed gaming operating in the state. These companies are not subject to taxation or regulation of any kind."
"DraftKings, on the other hand, is committed to operating with integrity. We offer a secure, regulated alternative to that illegal market that generates significant tax revenue for the commonwealth."
Context excerpts: "No study of sports betting would be complete without including an analysis of the overseas operators, sweepstakes companies, and other unlicensed gaming operating in the state. These companies are not subject to taxation or regulation of any kind." "DraftKings, on the other hand, is committed to operating with integrity. We offer a secure, regulated alternative to that illegal market that generates significant tax revenue for the commonwealth."
