Massachusetts gambling regulators will meet with casinos, simulcast centers, and slots parlors on Thursday to discuss sports betting. In a recent interview, Sen. Eric Lesser claimed sports betting would help Massachusetts catch up to its neighbors.

Encore and MGM likely first ones to offer Sports Betting in Massachusets 

The new gaming legislation, signed by Gov. Charlie Baker last week, comprises two primary categories: in-person betting licenses (with mobile allowances) for the state’s two casinos, two simulcast centers, and one slots parlor; and up to seven distinct mobile-only betting licenses to be bid on. 

Land-based facilities might be the first to offer sports betting since the Massachusetts Gaming Commission already licenses and understands them. Encore and MGM have the resources to set up swiftly and have long lobbied for legalization.

Cathy Judd-Stein, chairwoman of the Massachusetts Gaming Commission, said regulators would meet Thursday with only five retail licensees: Plainridge Park Casino, MGM Springfield, Encore Boston Harbor, Suffolk Downs and Raynham Park. That’s the first in a series of roundtable conversations on the next steps. Executive Director Karen Wells said last week she wanted to explore in-person and mobile betting on parallel tracks. She also revealed the commission’s intentions to obtain a notice of intent from firms interested in mobile-only permits so staff may gauge prospective applications.

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The Commission will Establish Licensing Rules

Commission officials will also establish vendor licensing rules. According to Wells, the Legislature drafted the sports betting measure so the commission “can get this done expeditiously.” Launch date is unknown. Legislators originally thought sports betting might be up and running before the NFL’s season opener this fall, but the Nevada Gaming Commission warned implementation may take months. Many say Massachusetts citizens won’t be able to bet until 2023.

Sports betting is a welcome addition to Massachusetts’ casino sector, helping it catch up to its neighbors. Sen. Eric Lesser, a member of the six-member conference committee that developed the compromise agreement, outlined its primary features and advantages with Bookies.com. Given that Massachusetts is home to sports betting behemoth DraftKings, the new legislation might potentially lead to greater sports tech investment. Lesser did not specify a timeline for the beginning of sports betting, saying that the commission must issue licenses and manage the procedure. New Hampshire, Rhode Island, Connecticut, and New York have online sports betting. Lesser said Bay State lawmakers studied them and New Jersey to design their plan.