Caesars was able to get a presence in the Massachusetts sports betting market, as the company reached a preliminary deal with Encore Boston Harbor for one of their sports betting licenses.
The deal will have Encore Boston Harbor give its mobile sports betting licenses to Caesars. This allows Caesars to forgo the competitive license process and quickly get a foothold in the Bay State.
Foley Hoag Partner Kevin Conroy, who has worked with companies in getting a license, told MassLive that Caesars is utilizing a common practice.
The Massachusetts Gaming Commission (MGC) has been working on getting licenses approved for sports books. Wagering is supposed to launch in early 2023.
The MGC asked potential licensees to fill out a questionnaire asking for answers such as management structure and information on investors. Caesars Sportsbook, turned in a survey that says the company wants to operate a sports wagering platform and offer a mobile application.
Most of the companies that sent in the form had them heavily redacted by the time they were made public. A lawyer for the Gaming Commission told MassLive that companies who submitted surveys were allowed to decide what information was redacted in an effort to release the documents “as expeditiously as possible.”
Encore Boston Harbor is in the process of applying for a category one license. If that happens, they will be able to offer in-person wagering at the casino and online betting. That second license would allow them to use it for its betting app, run by WynnBet.
This isn’t the first time Caesars has tried to get into Massachusetts. They applied for a casino license to partner with Suffolk Downs to build a casino at the race track 10 years ago.
Ironically, it was Encore Boston Harbor that won out getting the license with Wynn Resorts. Caesars ended up suing the MGC, claiming a conflict of interest and favoritism. The suit was dismissed and a federal appeals court upheld the decision.
