Massachusetts Gaming Accepts Late MGM Sports Betting Application

• The Massachusetts Gaming Commission has accepted a late MGM Springfield sports betting application
• The Massachusetts casino submitted its sports betting application two days past the deadline
• MGM Springfield executives chalked it up to a “miscommunication” that shouldn’t affect BetMGM Massachusetts

MGM Springfield dodged a huge Massachusetts sports betting bullet after its late license application was still accepted by the gaming commission.

Members of the Massachusetts Gaming Commission voted 5-0 to accept MGM Springfield’s late Category 1 sports betting application after the casino submitted the document more than 48-hours late.

MGM Springfield submitted its $200,000 application fee to the gaming commission on the Nov. 21 deadline, but did not submit its sports betting application until Nov. 23.

Under No Obligation to Accept Application

Massachusetts Gaming Commission Chair Cathy Judd-Stein reminded her fellow commissioners that a provision had been placed in the state’s sports betting regulations to allow the legislative body to vote on accepting late applications. However, she also reminded the commission it was under no obligation to accept the late sports betting license application.

“We did anticipate this. We were all extending the idea of empathy when we knew something could go array. That’s why this provision was put into the regulation,” she said. “We’re not obligated, but we can move to receive the application.”

MGM Springfield’s late application was chalked up to a “misunderstanding” between the casino and its corporate offices. MGM Springfield Vice President Augustine Kim said he “inadequately communicated to our corporate team” on what the casino needed to do for its application and took fault for the late application.

Despite the missed deadline, the commission unanimously voted to move the application forward. There is no competition for Category 1 sports betting applications for retail sports betting in the state, as only the three Massachusetts casinos are eligible for the licenses. This late application shouldn’t affect a potential launch of BetMGM Massachusetts in early 2023.

Sports Betting Applications Being Reviewed

The Massachusetts Gaming Commission received 15 total sports betting license applications last week. Loretta Lillios, Director of Investigations and Enforcement Bureau for the Massachusetts Gaming Commission, said the bureau is currently reviewing all sports betting license applications for “deficiencies.”

Lillios told the gaming commissioners that each operator is being continuously updated on its application and if it needs to submit additional materials to be considering for a sports betting license.

The Massachusetts Gaming Commission has set a goal of launching in-person betting in January and online sports betting in March.

FanDuel Massachusetts, DraftKings Massachusetts, Betway, BallyBet, Betr, and PointsBet each submitted applications to the Massachusetts Gaming Commission for an untethered online sports betting licenses. The state will allow for a total of seven untethered online sports betting licenses.

Encore Boston Harbor, MGM Springfield, and Plainridge Park Casino each submitted applications for Category 1 operator licenses. The Massachusetts sports betting bill allows each of these casinos to operate retail sports betting at their facilities and partner with up to two online sports betting operators to run their mobile services.

According to a release from the Massachusetts Gaming Commission, Encore Boston Harbor will partner with WynnBet and Caesars Sportsbook Massachusetts for its online sports betting services; MGM Springfield has indicated they will only partner with BetMGM Massachusetts for its online services; and Plainridge Park Casino will partner with Barstool Sportsbook Massachusetts  and BetFanatics for its online sports betting.

Each of these online sports betting partners will be required to be license as Category 3 operators and have submitted relevant applications. Each applicant has submitted the necessary $200,000 application fee.