Encore Boston Harbor Awarded First Sportsbook License in Massachusetts

by Dave Schwab - 12/12/2022

The WynnBET Sportsbook at Encore Boston Harbor secured its first license to run an operation in Massachusetts. As a Category 1 sports wagering facility, WynnBET met all the requirements for the state’s concerns in the Massachusetts Gaming Commission (MGC).

The MGC awarded the sportsbook license on Thursday, Dec. 8, allowing to open a retail and two online facilities. WynnBET will handle both the in-person sports betting and online with the mobile betting app. The parent company is Wynn Resorts in Las Vegas, Nevada.

Caesars Entertainment’s sportsbook entered in a partnership with Wynn Resorts to claim the other online sports betting extension because the other gaming giant does not have a physical presence in the state.

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Penn’s Plainridge Park and MGM Springfield in Massachusetts

Penn Entertainment’s association with Barstool Sports has led to Barstool Sportsbook. Penn’s Plainridge Park wanted to use Barstool Sportsbook as a legal retail and online sports betting venture for its Massachusetts casino patrons.

Barstool Sports founder Dave Portnoy’s close ties with Penn Entertainment caused regulatory concerns in the MGC, which ultimately turned it down for first approval.

MGM Springfield ties to BetMGM also gave way to regulatory concerns on this license approval. The plans were to contract BetMGM for its sportsbook as part of MGM Springfield legal operation of sports betting business.

BetMGM’s involvement was called into question when dealing with MGM Springfield’s plan, so the MGC also turned it down for first approval.

WynnBET and Encore Boston Harbor had All the Answers

The MGC had in-depth questions for WynnBET and Encore Boston Harbor this past Thursday but they were all answered with ease. The commissioners and the casino staff met privately for about 10 minutes to discuss WynnBET’s operation. After releasing what had been said, the MGC voted 5-0 in favor of approving Encore Boston Harbor’s Category 1 sports betting application.

Pending review, the WynnBET Sportsbook at Encore Boston Harbor could launch in early January in retail sports betting. WynnBET’s online sportsbook operations are expected later in the year.

Encore Boston Harbor Sportsbook Space

Encore Boston Harbor is the busiest venue of the three Boston-based casinos. The company has revenues of more than $1.88 billion since opening its doors in 2019. Actually in the neighboring city of Everett, Encore Boston Harbor got its start when voters signed off on a local referendum in 2013.

Wynn Resorts’ $2.6 billion integrated resort moved forward from that point and legal sports betting is the next main attraction. Wynn officials wanted in increase the footprint to include a standalone poker room and a retail sportsbook. A paved parking lot across Broadway had been earmarked for expansion.

The retail WynnBET Sportsbook offers 10 live betting windows along with a 123-foot video wall to attract sports fans and bettors. State law allows the retail sportsbook and two other online platforms with mobile betting apps. Encore has plans to operate two online sportsbooks, WynnBET and Caesars Sportsbook.

A tweet from Encore Boston Harbor sums it up:

“It’s official! Encore Boston Harbor has been approved a sports wagering license! Boston’s Sportsbook will open in Early 2022.”

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Encore Boston Harbor Awarded First Sportsbook License in Massachusetts

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