The Massachusetts Gaming Commission‘s application review of Wynn‘s MA sports betting application was not without issue. It did, however, end in a finding of suitability Wednesday, which cannot be said about its two competitors just yet.
Wynn’s application for retail sports betting in Massachusetts was the only one of the three casinos to get commission approval this week. Votes on Penn National and MGM Resorts applications were deferred to a later date because of various questions that need to be addressed.
The commission’s approval does not mean sports betting can legally happen in Massachusetts yet. Retail sports betting is scheduled for a January launch. Mobile is expected to go live in time for March Madness betting.
Minor hangups in Wynn sports betting application
As it turns out, the 367-page application from Encore Boston Harbor was not long enough. A small portion of the application was realized to be missing mid-meeting.
The MGC voted unanimously to accept the missing section, though, after Commissioner Jordan Maynard pointed out that clerical mistakes can happen with such large documents. The commission also allowed MGM Springfield to submit its retail application late after it mistakenly submitted its mobile application instead.
There was another question about whether commissioners needed clarification from a WynnBET representative, with Chair Cathy Judd-Stein even wondering if that would be allowed under the scope of the review. Commissioner Nakisha Skinner said was concerned about some items marked confidential in the WynnBET application, but the commission agreed to hold those issues until the mobile application review.
Wynn advances with garage kiosk idea
When the three retail casinos met with the commission in August, there was one proposal that surprised commissioners.
At the time, Wynn said it was considering adding sports betting kiosks to its parking garage for bettors that simply wanted to place a bet and not go into the casino. That proposal is still alive and well, though, with details outlined on page 32 of the application:
B1 Express Sportsbook: Given that Encore Boston Harbor will open as Greater Boston area’s only legal option to place a sports wager until the launch of mobile and category 2 venues, subject to the approval of the Massachusetts Gaming Commission, we are preparing a convenient and quick way for sports wagerers to place their wager without having to enter the casino. The B1 Express Sportsbook, to be located in the parking garage, would include twenty-three (23) sports betting kiosks with convenient 15-minute parking. This “Express Sportsbook” will enable guests to place their wager quickly and then watch the game in the comfort of their own home.
Commissioner Eileen O’Brien expressed concern over security issues, such as when money needed to be transferred to or from the betting room. Wynn said it considered many potential security issues and would be happy to discuss those topics in a closed executive session.
More MA sports betting meetings Monday
There are two key sessions about MA sports betting coming up for the MGC Monday.
The first session starting at 10 am is the public comment period on five tethered mobile applicants:
- Barstool Sportsbook
- BetMGM
- Caesars
- Fanatics
- WynnBET Sportsbook
At 1:30 pm, the MGC will discuss and vote on whether operators can deduct promo dollars from taxable revenue or not.
