Massachusetts Gaming Commission Meets, Sets Up Review Process for Next Week

Massachusetts Gaming Commission Meets, Sets Up Review Process for Next Week
Fact Checked by Pat McLoone

If you can believe it, the latest Massachusetts Gaming Commission (MGC) meeting on Tuesday was relatively short.

The MGC has 15 Massachusetts sports betting licenses to review (three retail, 12 mobile) and the review process will begin on Monday, Dec. 5 at 10 a.m. with public discussion/comments on the three retail applications submitted by Encore Boston Harbor, MGM-Springfield and Plainridge Park Casino.

Each application must be approved by the MGC in public session, with the Commission scheduled to discuss and vote on the three Category 1 brick-and-mortar applications starting Tuesday, Dec. 6.

Earlier this year, BetMassachusetts.com did a survey on the preferences of sports bettors in the state.

Close Call for MGM-Springfield

MGM-Springfield actually missed the deadline to submit its application by two days but was given an important break from the MGC on Tuesday.

The MGC voted 5-0 to accept the casino's application for a sportsbook despite it being submitted after the Nov. 21 deadline.

MGM-Springfield actually paid the $200,000 fee by the deadline, but did not submit its required paperwork on time because of issues between its local officials and those at the corporate level. An MGM-Springfield representative took full responsibility for the mistake on Tuesday and then was voted on immediately after.

The three retail applicants also have announced partnerships with Massachusetts betting app operators, as the Massachusetts sports betting law permits.

Of the 12 mobile operators that applied for licenses in the Bay State, six will stand on their own and five will work in partnership with the casinos approved to take bets in the state.

One mobile operator (bet365 Sportsbook MA) will partner with Raynham Park's retail site once its Category 2 license is granted.

The tethered Category 3 applications will have public discussion/comments and the MGC review and vote between Dec. 12-14.

The potential approval of three retail licenses comes four months after sports betting legislation was passed on Aug. 1 and was legalized in the state in a bill signed by Gov. Charlie Baker on Aug. 10.

Trust the process. And be sure to check out our top-tier review of the FanDuel Massachusetts promo code.

In the meantime, stay close to BetMassachusetts.com as your source for Massachusetts sports betting promos.

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Author

Lou Monaco had been East Coast Scene columnist for Gaming Today in Las Vegas since June 2019, covering the East Coast sportsbook scene. He also currently is a part-time writer for the high school sports department for NJ Advanced Media (NJ.com) in Iselin, NJ. Lou has over 30 years sports experience with previous stints at ESPN SportsTicker, Daily Racing Form and Oddschecker.

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