The Massachusetts Gaming Commission Tuesday morning voted unanimously to accept a late Category 1 retail application from MGM-Springfield, and will allow it to be considered on a timeline to launch sports betting in “late January.” MGM-Springfield legal counsel Augustine Kim appeared at the virtual meeting requesting acceptance of the application, which he said was delayed due to “miscommunication” within the organization. The company did file its Category 3 digital application on Nov. 21, the deadline to be among the first launch group.
Kim asked for the commission’s “indulgence” and explained that the issue arose around “who was doing what, and as soon as we realized what was missing, we worked feverishly to get together what was missing and filed about 48 hours later,” on Nov. 23. MGM-Springfield did submit its $200,000 application fee Nov. 21.
The approval means that the casino company will be on track, from a regulatory standpoint, to open its brick-and-mortar sportsbook at the same time as competitors Encore Boston Harbor and Plainridge Park Casino. There is no firm go-live date for Massachusetts sportsbooks, though the MGC in October pointed to late-January, ahead of the Super Bowl, for retail launch and early-March, ahead of March Madness, for digital launch.
Applications already being reviewed
The MGC was under no obligation to grant an extension and accept the application, but it appeared that because it was for a retail license and not a competitive situation – Executive Director Karen Wells referred to the Category 1 licenses as “presumptive” – the commission requested an explanation, got feedback from its legal team, and agreed to accept the application.