Massachusetts Gaming Commission yet to make decision on betting applications
The Massachusetts Gaming Commission, a five-member body responsible for regulating the state’s gambling industry, held a meeting for the second consecutive day to consider the second of three casino-based sports betting applications it is to review this week.
However, the Commission once again did not come up with a resolute decision.
The first application, filed by Plainridge Park Casino, was not considered on December 6 (Tuesday) after commissioners expressed concern with the affiliated sportsbook company’s relationship with Barstool Sports and its founder and spokesperson Dave Portnoy.
According to sources, the application will have to wait to move forward until commissioners are convinced that the mobile betting operator, which will be attached to the physical casino of Penn Entertainment, can prevent Portnoy’s personality from driving irresponsible gambling practices or attracting too young an audience.
The second application, filed by MGM Springfield, will also have to wait as commissioners noticed a problem with the paperwork.
“At the end of the day, I mean the entire application refers to BetMGM, and so I don’t think we’re going to avoid, ultimately, waiting until BetMGM’s presentation next week before we deliberate on this application,” Commissioner Nakisha Skinner said toward the end of the commission’s nearly five-hour public meeting.
MGM Springfield is applying for a Category 1 licence, which allows it to operate both a physical gaming space and have an affiliated mobile gaming partner, in its case with a company called BetMGM.
BetMGM’s application for a licence to operate in Massachusetts will be considered next week. Until then, commissioners said they simply won’t be able to approve what was presented by MGM Springfield, with many parts of their application reliant on the other.
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