Regulators Now On The Clock For Massachusetts Sports Betting

The Massachusetts Gaming Commission wasted no time in getting to work on Thursday, less than 24 hours after the governor signed the necessary documents to move the sports betting process forward.

During the regular meeting, there were no updates regarding the launch timeline. However, a roundtable discussion has been scheduled for next week, where representatives from current land-based licensees have been invited to participate.

On Wednesday, Gov. Charlie Baker granted approval for the legalization of sports betting in Massachusetts. However, bettors will need to exercise patience as wagering is not expected to go live in the state anytime soon, potentially causing them to miss out on the entire upcoming football season.

Once again, the commissioners made a commitment to ensuring an open and equitable process.

Cathy Judd-Stein, the chairperson of MGC, stated that our collaboration with ultimate licensees will be efficient and comprehensive. We are committed to keeping all stakeholders and the public well-informed throughout the entire process. We understand that everyone is anxious for a precise timeline, and we are currently working diligently to develop it in a responsible manner.

Preparations for progress made by gaming commission

During the meeting, Executive Director Karen Wells put forward several measures that received positive feedback from commissioners. These measures encompassed the implementation of a notice of intent requirement for online operators prior to the formal application process. Additionally, the proposal allowed vendors to apply for temporary licenses, enabling them to expedite their processes.

Furthermore, Wells mentioned that her team is currently working on creating a landing page on the commission’s website to provide information regarding the rollout of sports betting.

Wells mentioned that we will consider implementing it quickly.

Under the leadership of Wells, the MGC staff devised a proposed procedure for the implementation of sports betting while awaiting legislation. Prior to Baker’s endorsement of the bill, the staff presented a preliminary plan to the commissioners last week, outlining a timeline of five months from the commencement of applications to completion. Additionally, the staff provided insights based on the experiences of other states, indicating that their rollouts typically took anywhere between three to six months.

Judd-Stein noted that in the absence of a law, their work was limited to speculation rather than relying on scientific evidence. She added that the initial groundwork laid by the commission has prepared them effectively for the added responsibility they face today.

If the timeline stretches to its maximum, there is a possibility that football season could be at risk. This is because Super Bowl LVII is scheduled for February 12, 2023, precisely six months from the upcoming Friday.

‘Now it’s time to get to work’ on MA sports betting

To prepare for the legalization of sports betting, the MGC conducted a thorough examination of the regulatory systems in different jurisdictions. Additionally, the commission has incorporated studies in their annual research agenda to analyze the social and economic consequences of sports wagering.

The commission members expressed their enthusiasm to proceed with a plan now that the industry has been officially legalized. Wells commended Baker for his remarkable decision and emphasized that it is now time to start working.

According to Wells, the Massachusetts Gaming Commission (MGC) has approved the hiring of a dedicated director of sports wagering, which will be one of the initial steps in establishing a sports betting framework in the state. The job description for this position will be posted soon.

Furthermore, applicants will be mandated by the commission to submit a notice of intent prior to commencing the official application procedure. This initial notice will serve as a valuable tool in discovering the initial scope of interest in Massachusetts sports betting.

The commission will allocate a total of 15 licenses for MA online sports betting operators. Out of these, seven licenses will be granted through a competitive process by the commission. The remaining eight licenses will be awarded to operators who have partnered with state casinos or simulcast betting facilities.

Retail operators invited to sports betting roundtable discussion

The Massachusetts Gaming Commission (MGC) briefly discussed the possibility of simultaneous launches for retail and online sports betting in the state. However, it is expected that retail gambling operators will have an advantage in the sports betting application process and will be the first ones to enter the market.

The commission will have the final say on these decisions, although they are optimistic that some of these questions will be resolved by next week.

The MGC has scheduled a meeting on Thursday, Aug. 18 to host the first of many roundtable discussions, aimed at initiating a dialogue with current license holders. The commission has invited the state’s five retail operators to participate in this initial roundtable, focusing on various topics related to their respective plans for sports betting.

Those operators are:

• Encore Boston Harbor
• MGM Springfield
• Plainridge Park
• Raynham Park simulcast
• Suffolk Downs simulcast

In the forthcoming weeks, there will be further roundtable discussions focusing on various subjects such as online sports betting, responsible gaming, and advertising.

PlayMyWay program up and running at Plainridge Park

Additionally, the MGC received an update regarding the state’s casinos, which are steadily recovering from the impacts of COVID-19.

Mark Vander Linden, the director of Research and Responsible Gaming in Massachusetts, recently gave an update on the state’s innovative PlayMyWay initiative. This program, designed to address and reduce gambling-related risks, has been successfully implemented at Plainridge Park since 2016.