Caesars Entertainment has partnered with Raynham Park to offer sports betting services in Massachusetts. The deal involves the establishment of one of the largest race and sports betting facilities in the United States.
Today we are announcing plans to offer in-person sports betting through a partnership with Raynham Park, pending approval by the Massachusetts Gaming Commission.
This partnership includes the eventual opening of a 30,000-square-foot Caesars Sportsbook retail location. pic.twitter.com/Tif6Ssh8hT
— Caesars Sportsbook (@CaesarsSports) January 23, 2023
The transaction is however still pending the approval of the Massachusetts Gaming Commission.
Per Eric Hession, President of Caesars Digital in a press statement:
The partnership with Caesars Sportsbook comes after an online-only deal with international sports betting company Bet365 did not materialize. The United Kingdom-based company reportedly did not conform with some of the gaming regulations in the state.
One of the Largest Free-Standing Race and Sportsbooks in the United States
Once approved by regulators, Caesars Sportsbook at Raynham Park will open a temporary sports betting facility at the current simulcasting area of the former greyhound racing park while the retail sportsbook building is being constructed nearby.
The 60,000-square-foot permanent facility will have one of the largest free-standing race and sportsbooks in the United States. According to Caesars, the sportsbook will have an area of 30,000 square feet plus two restaurants, bars, and a private events space.
No date was announced for the opening of the permanent sportsbook, although during the press release, Caesars Entertainment said that construction of the Caesars Sportsbook at Raynham Park is expected to be completed mid-year with a grand opening planned for the spring.
Caesars’ First Brick and Mortal Presence in Massachusetts
The brick-and-mortar sportsbook will be Caesars’ first in the state. Caesars already had previous access to the Massachusetts sports betting market through a partnership with Wynn Resorts’ Encore Boston Harbor. However, that deal is only for online sports betting services.
Boston Encore Harbor is a Category 1 sports betting license holder in the state. As such, it is allowed to offer in-person sports betting on its property and through two digital platforms that require “Category 3” permits to operate. Encore’s own WynnBet is their first online skin and retail sports betting partner while Caesars is its second online skin.
Meanwhile, Raynham Park is a Category 2 sports betting license owner in Massachusetts. That license allows it to operate a retail sportsbook on its property and offer sports betting through one digital platform. Caesars is the brick-and-mortar operator while Bet365 was supposed to be the race track’s digital partner before their deal fell off the table. Raynham Park is still looking for a new mobile sports betting partner.
Massachusetts Sports Betting Picture
Massachusetts is gearing up for its anticipated sports betting launch on January 31, with a soft opening slated one day before the grand opening. The state’s sports betting law provides for up to five brick-and-mortar sports betting facilities at the state’s casinos and two racetracks. The three casinos’ retail sportsbooks will join this month end’s grand launch while the racetracks are expected to go live later.
As many as eight mobile sports betting platforms can be tethered to those brick-and-mortar facilities. There are also up to seven “untethered” mobile sports betting licenses available in the state, meaning Massachusetts residents could end up having 15 different options for internet sports betting.
The Massachusetts Gaming Commission has spent the previous months reviewing and approving applications to ensure that the state pushes through with its scheduled retail sports betting launch later this month. Online sports wagering is expected to begin in March.
