Wagers might generate between about $9 million and $61 million in state tax revenue if lawmakers decide to make Massachusetts sports betting legal, the Gaming Commission said Thursday in a white paper that mapped out how the Legislature might think about introducing another new form of gaming in the Bay State. Massachusetts, like many other states, is waiting to learn if the U.S. Supreme Court will strike down any or all of the Professional and Amateur Sports Protection Act, which limits which states can offer legal sports betting. A decision in the case Christie v. National Collegiate Athletic Association could…

The National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) in the US has said that 80% of its athletic directors are opposed to expanding legalised sports betting in the country. The state of New Jersey is currently heading up an effort to overturn the federal 1992 Professional and Amateur Sports Protection Act (PASPA). PASPA makes it unlawful for governmental entities to sponsor, operate, advertise, promote, licence or authorise betting, gambling or wagering schemes that are based on games played by amateur or professional athletes. Nevada is the only state in which PASPA does not apply, but the situation may change should the US…

New Jersey gaming officials, Atlantic City casinos and the state’s racetracks are revving up to offer legal sports betting as the United States Supreme Court prepares to release a potential landmark decision in the coming months. The New Jersey Division of Gaming Enforcement is encouraging businesses and individuals interested in sports betting to apply for a casino service industry license ahead of the Supreme Court ruling, which could be released as early as March 5. “The Division of Gaming Enforcement recognizes it needs to be prepared to investigate and license businesses and individuals seeking to enter the New Jersey gaming…

Routinely criticized for being behind the times, West Virginia is getting ahead of the curve when it comes to sports betting. In anticipation of the scuttling of the federal prohibition on expanded sports wagering, a West Virginia Senate committee has advanced a bill that, if it becomes law, would legalize sports betting at the state’s various casinos, and via mobile apps that would be used by people located in West Virginia. Both the NBA and Major League Baseball have criticized aspects of the bill. “We appreciate the Legislature’s work on the subject of legalized sports betting; however, we do not…

Verizon Communications Inc. is considering entering the multibillion-dollar market for sports betting business, which could become legal in the U.S. before the year is out, according to people familiar with the matter. The New York-based phone giant, which last year bought Yahoo and its popular fantasy sports business, has been meeting with experts and consultants to assess the potential for a sports-focused online gambling venture if the laws in the U.S. change, said the people, who asked not to be identified discussing private information. The U.S. Supreme Court is expected to issue a decision early this year in a case…

North America’s NBA basketball league this week unveiled its vision for sports betting in the US, should the country opt to introduce wider regulations. According to ESPN, NBA attorney Dan Spillane set out the NBA’s proposals to a New York State Senate committee, formally confirming the league’s support for plans to legalize sports betting across the country. Nevada is currently the only US state in which sports betting is legal, but New Jersey is leading the charge for nationwide regulation of such activities. New Jersey wants to overturn the federal 1992 Professional and Amateur Sports Protection Act (PASPA), which makes…