Anti-gaming lawmaker backs online gambling bill in Massachusetts

Senator Michael Rush has proposed legislation in Massachusetts that would increase revenue for the state lottery. If passed, the bill would allow the lottery to sell tickets online through various payment processors such as PayPal and eCheck. Credit cards would also be an accepted form of payment.

"Whether I think it's a good idea or not, it's clear Washington is moving toward online gambling," said Grossman, as reported by the Boston Globe. "While I oppose it, I want to make sure we are ahead of the curve and are one of the winners of the new world of online gaming and not a loser because we stuck our heads in the sand."

The approach is one that Conservative leaders in Washington have taken in recent months. Long time opponent of online gambling, Senator Jon Kyl, has joined forces with Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid, and sent a letter to the DoJ, asking for a clarification of the Internet gambling laws. Reid has also opposed online gaming in the past.

When the economic recession hit the US, Reid's state of Nevada was among the hardest hit. Las Vegas had always been thought to be immune to the economic troubles of the country, but this time, Las Vegas casinos paid a big price. Millions of dollars in revenue was lost, and three year's later, the city's casinos still have not recovered.

Reid's stance on the issue changed after several high profile Las Vegas casino owners started to believe that online gambling could revive the ailing gaming industry in Nevada. In the past year, several US-based companies have partnered with foreign companies that have the platforms to operate online casinos.

Back in Massachusetts, Senator Rush's bill would only be a first step towards full Internet gaming freedom, but it would place Massachusetts ahead of the curve. Only Washington DC and Nevada have passed laws regulating online gambling.