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Governor would make betting on the Patriots legal, although not in time for the upcoming Super Bowl

WBZ reports Gov. Baker wants to legalize betting on professional sports. Betting parlors would have to pay a fee for the privilege of taking people's money and would not be allowed to conduct wagering on college sports.

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As with everything else in the gaming bills thus far passed, I don't expect there will be any real protection for the bettors. It will be "fleece them as much as possible as quickly as possible", so I'm willing to bet (HA!) the vigorish will be 6 to make 5, rather than a more standard 11 to make 10 (or the somewhat generous 10.5 to make 10, as found in many Nevada books) making it near impossible for any bettor to win in the long run.

(For those wondering how anyone can win... Yes, just betting blindly guarantees losing over the long run. Since sports betting can be a matter of skill, as opposed to pure luck, a win rate of 52.5% turns a small profit for a bettor at the 11/10 vigorish. At 6/5, it takes about 54.5%, and that's a HUGE difference, believe me.)

For those interested in some of the math of sports gambling - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vigorish

Suldog
http://jimsuldog.blogspot.com

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Although I do believe that sports betting should be legal, for me personally it's a little more worrisome than slots, dice or cards. When I go to a casino, I have no problem sticking to whatever amount I decided I could spend walking in the door, but sports gambling is different. I know how numbers work, so I realize I'm only going to come out ahead on most games with a huge stroke of luck, but since I do follow sports, I can see how easy it would be to get overconfident in my knowledge, and lose a bunch of money. OTOH, the Red Sox & Patriots have recently been huge winning bets. I live about a mile from the new casino, so it will be super easy to place a wager. Maybe too easy.

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Why should others not be able to partake because you don't trust yourself? Your other argument makes zero sense as well. So you're more likely to spend what you don't have on a sports bet vs. stuffing it in a machine or playing a card game? Why?

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Since the courts have laughed at most marijuana and sports betting criminal charges, the state is right to legalize, regulate and tax it. That said, I'm sure "up front" money is required at a licensed pot shop and licensed sports betting parlor, just like the State Lottery requires.

That will still leave the black market for those who want to smoke or bet today but "get paid on Friday." The kneecapping and beatings of those who can't pay will continue. I'm told that the taxes at the legal pot shops are onerous and the less expensive black market is still alive and well. The same will go for the bookies unless the state offers a competitive rate.

How long before the "Sports Betting Commission" is formed with good jobs at good wages? The Lottery Commission couldn't handle a half dozen casinos and two moribund horse tracks. The Department of Public Health couldn't handle pot so we got the Cannabis Commission. Why should the Gaming Commission be expected to handle sports? More six figure salaries and pensions soon.

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We have yet to see any legal weed shops in most of state, and especially population heavy metro Boston in a location accessible by the T. Friend Street will be the first. We need to see much more market penetration to even begin to compete with the black market. I don't think the tax rates are onerous, but state regulations, including the seed to flower tracking system, means that production costs, even on a huge scale, will be higher for legal weed. The black market will survive, but over time it should diminish, Let's give the new law some time to work, and reassess the situation in a year or two.

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Still want you to crawl into a cave and leave us alone forever, but I hear you on this one.

https://lifestyle.clickhole.com/heartbreaking-the-worst-person-you-know-...

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Might as well have some sports betting. WEEI always talks about their trips to Twin River in RI to gamble. Keep that money in the state Gov Baker.

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The next gas line explosion...

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I'm generally pro-gambling, but I don't like betting on sports. To me it cheapens the athleticism and makes it no more than betting on dumb horses running around a track (the latter of which I think is just fine.) I also think it creates the opportunity for sports outcomes to be influenced by betting, which I find abhorrent. If a team pours in a few unnecessary points at the end of a game that's already in the bag to top the over/under or beat the spread, that's a problem.

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Gambling already influences sports. If you think it doesn't you are lying to yourself. Ever watch an NBA game? The officials are working for Vito and his boys, 100% guaranteed.
The issue, much like with pot and ITS black market, is do you want the state to collect some money from it or not? That's it.
If not that's fine, go on blindly supporting unregulated criminal enterprise. I am (not making an appointment a week in advance and paying 30% tax on pot, sorry).
If you want schools, roads, fire and police depts to see a little extra scratch, legalize, regulate, and tax a thing (heroin, sex work, gambling, pot....literally whatever.)
The altruistic and moral objections to these issues are imaginary and inconsequential. All of these activities go on unabated whether a law is written or not.

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Please ask a favorite Legislator's Office to advocate for Governor's Office and Legislature be open to FOI Freedom Of Information Public Records Open Meetings Open Government practices rather than exempt. No more hiding!

"In Massachusetts, PioneerLegal, the Pioneer Institute’s public-interest law initiatitive, reviewed the state’s constitution and found that the legislative exemptions from public records law and open meetings law are unconstituional. In their ten page letter to the Special Legislative Commission on Public Records of Massachusetts, the group layouts their argument and emphasizes the need to hold the legislature accountable." https://www.muckrock.com/news/archives/2018/oct/16/legislative-exemption...

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Is thinking about retiring. Peace out uhubbers. :-). It’s been a fun ride. (I am Elmer).

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If this the real Elmer, you should return to Adorable comments and insightful posts.

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For $100 a square. Final score only

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Legal sports betting, but ONLY on Pro sports. Why? I don't think any other state that has legalized sports wagering has limited it to only pro sports.

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Nevada didn't allow wagering on University of Nevada Las Vegas games for some time. They do now, though.

Suldog
http://jimsuldog.blogspot.com

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My pal is a long time City of Boston employee and a member of their credit union. And a gambler.

Couple Super Bowls ago he was all in on Pats.

Went to the credit union and asked for a personal loan for $1000. They naturally asked what it was for.
He told them he wanted to lay it in on the Pats to cover the spread.

The clerk balked and called in the manager. Manager gave him the loan and he won the bet and paid it off a week later.

Go Pats, lol!

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