SPRINGFIELD – Two members of the Springfield legislative delegation believe sports betting could help small businesses back on their feet after the effects of the pandemic.

State Sen. Adam Gomez and State Rep. Orlando Ramos have written a bill that would not only legalize sports betting for casinos and mobile platforms, but also would allow bars and restaurants to be licensed as well.

The position is the one advocated by the group Fair Play Massachusetts, which began lobbying the Legislature in 2019 for opportunities for small businesses to benefit from sports wagering.

That group noted such betting would assist small businesses, help eliminate illegal betting and achieve geographic equity.

Ryan McCollum, the spokesperson for the group, told Reminder Publishing in 2019, “The more we speak to folks, bar owners, lottery agents, more and more agree.” He added, “We haven’t met anyone yet who doesn’t like the idea.”

At that time, Bill Stetson, who owns both The Rumbleseat and the Collegiate Court in Chicopee, issued the following statement, “Sports betting isn’t for everybody, nor is it for every keno operator, but having the option will help some places retain and attract clientele. Small businesses like mine are being hit with more costs due to health care and a new rise in the minimum wage. This is an easy ‘two birds with one stone’ way to help lessen the blow to a segment of small local businesses all while raising more needed revenue.”

Gomez and Ramos believe such a move would assist small businesses in light of the impact made by the pandemic.

In a written statement, Gomez said,“The COVID-19 pandemic has devastated local businesses and downtowns across the state. For me it became a no-brainer – why shouldn’t an adult who is patronizing a local sports restaurant have the opportunity to bet $25 legally and safely on the Celtics. Now this individual will stay for the game, enjoy time with friends, and next time a game comes on return to the same place. We want to ensure that sports wagering can occur fairly and legally where every business interested can have a seat at the table. This legislation will increase our state’s competitiveness and will capture revenues that are currently being enjoyed by our neighboring states where sports betting has been legalized.”

Ramos, also in a written statement added, “This avenue makes the most sense. Considering all of the challenges that bars and restaurants and other small businesses have been going through with this pandemic, it was important to me that they were included in this bill. I think we also have to make sure that minority-owned businesses have an opportunity to succeed in this new industry which is why we included explicit language for diversity, equity and inclusion.”

In addition to bars and restaurants, the legislation could potentially allow professional sports venues and other retailers the option to have sports wagering.

HD.3606 and SD.2237 both have opt-out clause for cities and towns, allowing them to decide whether or not to allow wagers in their municipalities.  It would also prohibit wagering placed on sports involving animals.

State Sen. John Velis was the first co-sponsor of the Senate version and assisted in the drafting of the legislation.