Fenway Park is America’s Ballpark.
It might also be the location of Boston’s newest sports book. That is, if the Red Sox have their way.
The Massachusetts House of Representatives debated a bill Thursday that would legalize sports betting in Massachusetts, and the state’s pro sports franchises are behind two amendments that allow gambling inside or nearby stadiums.
“The Red Sox and the state’s other major professional sports teams — the Bruins, Patriots, Celtics and the Revolution — all support the idea,” David Friedman, the Red Sox senior vice president of legal affairs, told the Herald.
The bill would legalize betting on pro and college sports for people 21 and older, including wagers on fantasy, video games and racing. A similar bill last year died in the Senate.
As of July, 31 states and the District of Columbia allow some form of legalized sports gambling.
But these amendments could make betting part of the in-game experience. They would allow fans to place bets in person, adjacent to or a half-mile away from any sporting venue — including Fenway Park, Gillette Stadium and TD Garden.
It would also allow teams to apply for those licenses.
The amendments were filed by separately by Rep. Bradford Hill and Rep. Jay Livingstone.
There are four states in the U.S. (plus D.C.) where teams can carry sports wagering licenses. The Washington Nationals, for example, are building a sports book in their stadium.
The daily fantasy giant DraftKings already has its own Fantasy Sports Zone inside Gillette Stadium. A sports book isn’t much of a leap from that.
