Massachusetts Gives Preliminary Approval to Caesars Sportsbook and Plainridge Park for Sports Betting Operations
Sportsbook Approvals in Massachusetts continue rolling in, with Caesars and PENN Entertainment's Plainridge Park Casino getting the green light for their digital and physical sportsbooks respectively. However, the Massachusetts Gaming Commission (MGC) isn't quite ready to let them off the hook just yet. Both ventures have been preliminarily approved, but multiple conditions must be met before their grand entrances.
The Plainridge Park decision came after a heated debate, with MGC members questioning PENN Entertainment's close ties with Barstool Sports. The popular sports media company is the face of PENN's sportsbook, and it's no secret that they lean towards the edgy side. MGC members showed some concern about Dave Portnoy, a Barstool Sports founder who was recently labeled by The New York Times as a "degenerate gambler."
PENN CEO Jay Snowden tried to ease tensions by promising increased cooperation with the MGC and a commitment to upholding responsible gaming and integrity standards. In response, the MGC ordered a thorough investigation by its Investigations and Enforcement Bureau.
Meanwhile, Caesars had toing and froing with the MGC over its connections to Louisiana State University and Michigan State University. Commissioners quizzed Caesars on its past regulatory violations and overall suitability. The company's representatives promised to learn from past mistakes and adapt to the MGC's expectations.
The MGC aims to run physical sportsbooks at Massachusetts' three casinos by late January, with mobile sportsbooks going live in early March. Other applicants, such as Bally Bet, Betr, Betway, DraftKings, FanDuel, and PointsBet, are set to be reviewed in the coming months.
In the midst of all this, PENN Entertainment found itself in hot water over an advertising infraction in Ohio. Barstool Sportsbook, in league with the University of Toledo, was slapped with a potential $250,000 fine for advertising to those under 21. PENN CEO Jay Snowden acknowledged the error and pledged to tighten regulations for future events involving the Barstool College Football Show.
As Massachusetts gears up for the launch of its mobile sportsbooks, users can expect a flurry of bonuses and offers - but let's hope they don't get caught in any BS! 😉
- Despite securing preliminary approval for their sportsbooks, Caesars and PENN Entertainment still need to meet multiple conditions set by the Massachusetts Gaming Commission (MGC).
- During the discussion about PENN Entertainment's sportsbook approval, MGC members expressed concern about Dave Portnoy, a founder of Barstool Sports, who was labeled by The New York Times as a "degenerate gambler."
- PENN Entertainment found itself in a predicament due to an advertising infraction in Ohio, where Barstool Sportsbook, in collaboration with the University of Toledo, was potentially fined $250,000 for advertising to those under 21.
