The Massachusetts Gaming Commission on Friday voted to launch retail sports betting at three Category 1 (i.e., brick-and-mortar) casino sportsbooks in “late January” and Category 3 (mobile) wagering in “early March” after contentious discussion which revealed that neither the commission nor the staff had studied the sports calendar or understands how wagering around big events works.
Four commissioners voted to approve the launch windows. Commissioner Nakisha Skinner, who argued for the launch timeline to be developed by staff rather than hooked to a key sporting event, abstained from the vote. Before the commissioners voted, they agreed that the dates could change based on public comment or staff recommendations.
One staff member suggested that launching on an NFL Sunday would be easier than on a “busy Thursday or Friday” before the weekend, while a commissioner suggested that launching on an NFL playoff Sunday could resemble a salmon run. The commissioner added that, in the interest of public safety, it would be wiser to launch on the night of Jan. 29 — 'conference championship games are played — than earlier in the day, if that is the ultimately the date.
For the second day in a row, there was a possibility that there would be no vote, but Chair Cathy Judd-Stein pushed for one, even though it was clear that there was not a consensus. Critical to the decision is that specific launch dates have not been selected, and while Commissioner Bradley Hill suggested Jan. 18, which is the first day of the NFL playoffs, Executive Director Karen Wells was clear in saying that her staff needed more time. Hence, it appears very likely that the three retail sportsbooks could launch on NFL conference championship weekend or, potentially, the day after.