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Happy hour, sports betting on the table at State House

BOSTON — On Thursday, House lawmakers are set to consider amendments after a sports betting bill advanced out of the House Ways and Means Committee on Wednesday.

The bill would tax in-person wagers at 12.5% and place a 15% tax on mobile betting.

Previously, the House has approved sports betting bills, but the Senate has been reluctant to take up the issue and no date has been set for its debate.

Among the neighboring states that allow sports betting currently are New Hampshire and Rhode Island.

Happy hour proposal

State Representative Mike Connolly is pushing for happy hour to return to Massachusetts to give a boost to bars and restaurants hurt by the pandemic. Discounts on after-work alcoholic drinks were banned 37 years ago after a series of tragic accidents involving people who were overserved during happy hours including the death of 20-year-old Kathleen Barry of Weymouth.

In a tweet, he cited a new Mass Inc poll showing 70% of those surveyed support happy hour, 20% oppose it.

Click here to read the full poll.

Connolly stated that he filed the legislation. The legislature’s website did not have draft language available, instead, it stated that “the draft was being worked on by house counsel.”

Information from the State House News Service was used in this report.


This is a developing story. Check back for updates as more information becomes available.

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