The bill aims to enhance diversity and inclusion within the Massachusetts sports wagering industry, particularly focusing on the participation of minority, women, and veteran-owned businesses (MBE/WBE/VBE). It mandates the Massachusetts Gaming Commission (MGC) to investigate and report on the engagement of these diverse enterprises and workers in the industry. The findings indicate that while the workforce includes a notable percentage of diverse backgrounds, participation rates vary significantly across different operator categories, with retail sportsbooks showing lower diversity compared to mobile operators. The bill highlights the need for structured strategies to improve vendor diversity, as spending on diverse firms remains minimal, and identifies barriers such as the limited number of certified diverse businesses and specialized purchasing needs.

To address these challenges, the bill proposes several recommendations, including the establishment of workforce diversity goals, the creation of a marketing directory for diverse businesses, and the allocation of sports wagering tax revenues to support workforce development initiatives. It also suggests broadening diversity requirements to accept alternative ownership certifications and implementing a third-party certification option for diverse-owned businesses. The overall goal is to ensure that the sports wagering industry reflects the diversity of the Commonwealth and provides equitable opportunities for all business enterprises, while also enhancing the representation of diverse individuals in both employment and vendor relationships.