MGC Spends Several Hours Deliberating on Sportsbooks Applications

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Last updated: December 19, 2022

It’s well-known that the MGC (Massachusetts Gaming Commission) takes its time when it comes to voting on important issues. The three commercial casinos in the state have applied for Category 1 sports wagering operating licenses. Recently, these licenses were subject to preliminary reviews by the MGC.

Following more than ten hours of consideration over sportsbook applications from MGM Springfield and Plainridge Park Casino, the five-member MGC decided not to cast a vote on either tender. MGM Springfield is seeking internet and retail sportsbook concessions. The casino has collaborated with BetMGM, a gambling unit of its parent operating company, for its online and in-person wagering business.

Plainridge Park is also seeking both mobile and in-person sports betting privileges, as allowable through the Category 1 sports wagering license granted to the three casinos. The slots-only casino is looking to give Fanatics and Barstool Sportsbook entry to the market in the Commonwealth.

Encore Boston Harbor and Wynn Resorts are on the MGC docket for its sports wagering review. The casino is looking for approval to launch a WynnBet Sportsbook online and at the Everett resort. Wynn has struck a partnership with Caesars Entertainment’s Caesars Sportsbook to enable the book to accept bets online.

Commissioners in Agreement with Decision to Delay Voting

During the first two days of the agency’s talks about sportsbook applications, Massachusetts gaming regulators raised a variety of issues. Cathy Judd-Stein, the MGC Chair, agreed with Commissioners Eileen O’Brien and Nakisha Skinner regarding Plainridge. They concluded that Penn Entertainment’s management of Barstool Sports and its relationship with Dave Portnoy, Barstool’s founder, raises regulatory concerns.

The commissioners brought up the sexual misconduct allegations against Dave Portnoy in recent years – Portnoy denies these allegations. However, the agency is more concerned with the apparent lack of responsible gaming protocols at Barstool.

The commissioners claimed that the media and sportsbook outlets appear to promote irresponsible gambling, which is in direct opposition to one of the MGC’s main regulatory pillars. In agreement, the commissioners decided to postpone the vote on Plainridge Park’s Category 1 sports betting license until later in the week.

Nakisha Skinner Mentions That She Does Not Feel Comfortable Going Ahead with a Vote for Now

Barstool and Penn weren’t singled out by the MGC. The state also decided against voting on MGM Springfield’s Category 1 sports wagering application. This is because the casino told the state that BetMGM would be in charge of the property’s on-site sportsbook.

According to MGM officials, BetMGM already has a significant presence in other very regulated markets around the country. Nakisha Skinner stated that she wasn’t comfortable going forward with a vote until the state had access to more internal documents from BetMGM.

The vote on MGM sports betting has also been postponed until at least the following week. Commissioners will also meet very soon to review a sports betting application from Encore Boston Harbor. One important thing to note is that Massachusetts only legalized sports betting in 2022 after the Senate passed bill SB 2844, which tackled some important sports betting topics.