Caesars Sportsbook Awarded Massachusetts Online Sports Betting License

• The Massachusetts Gaming Commission approved Caesars Sportsbook for an online license
• Third sports betting license application approved by commission in two days
• Hearings continue next with Plainridge Park Casino retail sports betting hearing

Three approved Massachusetts sports betting license applications in two days…what’s gotten into the Massachusetts Gaming Commission?

Despite beginning the licensing process at a glacial pace earlier in the month, the Massachusetts Gaming Commission (MGC) unanimously approved Caesars Sportsbook for a tethered Category 3 online sports betting license this afternoon.

It’s the fifth approved sports betting license application by the MGC in the last week.

MGC Approves Caesars Sportsbook

It’s the commission’s third approved application in their last two scheduled license hearings for 2022. Today’s Caesars Sportsbook Massachusetts hearing was a continuation of a meeting from last week, where the commission deferred a vote after having too many remaining questions on the application.

Caesars Sportsbook provided supplemental information to the commission and satisfied MGC’s remaining concerns. It will be issued a temporary sports betting license before a full-license is awarded at a later date.

Caesars Sportsbook is tethered to Encore Boston Harbor and will provide online sports betting services for the casino. Encore Boston Harbor has also partnered with WynnBET as an online sports betting partner.

After approving Caesars’ application, the commission plans to jump into a continuation of Plainridge Park Casino’s hearing for a Category 1 retail sports betting license. The MGC deferred its vote on Plainridge Park’s application two weeks ago after it expressed concerns over its relationship with Barstool Sports, a recent New York Times article on Dave Portnoy, and potential improper advertising to underage gamblers and college students.

Future Regulation Prohibiting College Marketing?

One interesting discussion that came up during the hearing could provide the basis for a future approved regulation prohibiting operators from entering into marketing or advertising agreements with Massachusetts colleges and universities.

Commissioner Eileen O’Brien proposed a condition on the Caesars Sportsbook license that it be prohibited from entering such agreements with colleges or universities in the Commonwealth. O’Brien said the condition stemmed from Caesars Sportsbook’s current partnership with LSU and its athletic department.

“This applicant has prior agreements with colleges. That’s why I’m proposing this,” she said.

Commissioners agreed on the prohibition, but said it should be a regulation for all operators, not simply Caesars Sportsbook.

Caesars Entertainment General Counsel Jeffrey Hendricks said the operator would be amendable to such a condition, or a legal regulation, as long as the regulation applied to all operators in the state.

The MGC will next be able to make decisions on regulations at its Jan. 12 meeting.