Sports betting in Massachusetts could affect New Hampshire revenues
Massachusetts is legalizing sports betting after a last-minute deal was reached in the Legislature.
Officials in the Bay State said sports betting is expected to bring in an additional $60 million in annual tax revenue.
For New Hampshire, the question is how much of that revenue would have gone to the Granite State instead. Massachusetts residents interested in wagering on games would typically go to New Hampshire or Rhode Island.
The Massachusetts plan would allow wagering on professional and college athletics, but not on Massachusetts college teams, unless they're in a tournament such as March Madness.
In New Hampshire, more than $1 billion has been wagered since sports betting was launched, and about $30 million has been collected in taxes and earmarked for public education.
Massachusetts lawmakers said they think they will have a competitive edge in sports betting in New England.
"So, our tax rate is a lot less than New Hampshire, Rhode Island," said Massachusetts state Rep. Jerry Parisella. "They're about 50%, so we think this allows the operators to provide a better gaming experience for our consumers. We actually think it's going to bring folks from New Hampshire and Rhode Island and New York back to us."
But Charlie McIntyre, executive director of the New Hampshire lottery, said he expects sports the Massachusetts decision to have a minimal impact on sports betting in New Hampshire.
He noted that players who win bets in New Hampshire don't have to pay any state income taxes, unlike in Massachusetts.