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Massachusetts residents can now indulge in NBA Draft Lottery betting, fueling their optimism for underprivileged professional basketball teams.
After a lengthy private and public debate conducted virtually, the Massachusetts Gaming Commission approved betting on the results for May 16 during a public meeting on Thursday.
The MGC unanimously voted in favor of allowing bets on the annual NBA Draft Lottery, with a 4-0 decision. Following their previous ruling on wagering on the NFL Draft, the commission has now laid down specific regulations for placing bets on the NBA Draft Lottery. These rules include a restriction that prohibits betting once the lottery broadcast has commenced.
DraftKings sought clarity on April 26 regarding the inclusion of the NBA Draft Lottery in the Sports Wagering Catalog of the commonwealth. Following the vote, Massachusetts permits DraftKings and all licensed sports betting apps to now accept bets on the said event.
NBA Draft Lottery coming May 16
The NBA Draft Lottery is scheduled to be broadcasted live on ESPN and NBA.com on May 16. This event offers an opportunity for the 16 teams that did not make it to the playoffs to potentially secure one of the top four picks in the upcoming amateur draft. Teams with the poorest records from the previous regular season have a 14% probability of obtaining the coveted No. 1 selection.
The lottery only determines the top four positions, while the rest are assigned based on team records, ranging from worst to best.
The ruling permits betting on the top four spots in which teams will be placed, from one to four. Betting establishments are limited to accepting wagers solely on these four positions. The regulations for the draft lottery are determined by the NBA.
Betting on the NBA Draft Lottery is permitted and available in the states of Arizona, Illinois, Indiana, Louisiana, New Hampshire, New Jersey, Oregon, Wyoming, West Virginia, as well as the province of Ontario.
According to the MGC, the current laws cover the draft eligibility for wagering, and they recommend placing bets on the event.
According to Sterling Carpenter, the Sports Wagering Operations Manager for the MGC, the division is confident in the safety of the process. He explained that the envelopes are sealed, ensuring their integrity, and therefore it is deemed acceptable to proceed. However, he recommends that DraftKings cease betting once the envelopes have left the room.
The Boston Celtics, being a playoff team, will not participate in the NBA Draft lottery process.
The NBA Draft is scheduled for June 22nd, while the commission previously permitted betting on the NFL Draft held last month.
Commission hears Encore Boston, gambling safety presentations
Commissioners were presented with two presentations on Thursday, as reported in other news.
One of the reports was titled “Assessing the Influence of Gambling on Public Safety in Massachusetts Cities and Towns During the COVID-19 Pandemic” and was authored by Mark Vander Linden, the Director of Research for the MGC. The second report, titled “Analysis of the Influence of Encore Boston Harbor on its Surrounding Community,” was authored by Dr. Noah Fritz from Justice Research Associates.
The MGC convened in a private session for close to an hour to deliberate on the strategy concerning the legal case FBT Everett Realty, LLC v. Massachusetts Gaming Commission. This case pertains to the expansion of a casino in Everett.
The next meeting of the MGC is scheduled for Monday at 10 a.m. On the agenda, there will be a review of a request for six events from US Integrity.
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