Owners of Raynham Park in Massachusetts are having problems in their attempt to secure sports betting at the former greyhound racing track, which sits 30 miles south of Boston.
Caesars announced they had ended its relationship with Raynham Park and at the Massachusetts Gaming Commission (MGC) meeting last week it was discovered the track was also having trouble securing a sports betting license. Bet365 pulled out of a partnership with Raynham earlier this year.
One of the major concerns raised by the commission revolves around the ownership of Raynham Park. The track is owned by George Carney, Jr., who inherited the business from his father. However, the commission is particularly interested in the involvement of George’s son, Chris Carney, who has other business interests and companies associated with the track. The commission has reservations about Chris Carney’s influence on the decision-making process and is yet to fully clear him for a license.
The lawyers representing Raynham Park have sought to convince the commission that Chris Carney has no authority or sway in the business. They argue that he should be excluded from any position of control within the sports betting business. Despite their efforts, the commission remains concerned about the younger Carney’s role, especially considering how he has been portrayed as the owner in various publications and press releases.
The commission has raised questions about the preliminary suitability for a license, given the unresolved concerns about ownership and control.
Moreover, during an open meeting, the commission was made aware of several violations related to the handling and disposal of hazardous waste and construction materials. These violations were attributed to companies operated by the Carney family, further complicating the licensing process for Raynham Park.
Raynham Park’s quest for a sports betting license continues, despite the frustrations expressed by their legal representatives during the recent meeting with the MGC.
The lawyers have urged the commission to consider their efforts to address the concerns regarding Chris Carney’s involvement and the violations related to hazardous waste and construction materials. They are seeking conditional approval from the commission, based on their commitment to rectify these issues.
The future of Raynham Park’s sports betting venture remains uncertain. The commission’s decision will significantly impact the Carney family’s plans to establish a prominent sports gaming destination in Massachusetts. As the park awaits a license, other companies have already entered the market and begun serving Massachusetts residents. Raynham Park’s ongoing struggle highlights the challenges faced by established establishments seeking to adapt to the changing landscape of the gambling industry.
In the same meeting, the board announced it is not necessary for Penn Entertainment to reapply for a license after rebranding from Barstool Sportsbook to ESPN Bet. They did, however, say they want to look over the plans for the new sportsbook, which is set to debut in November.
“We want time to review the ESPN agreement, that’s part of our analysis,” IEB director Loretta Lillios said. “There are responsible gaming and other compliance issues that are relevant. We’ve requested documents, and they’re forthcoming. We’ve been informed by Penn that it will not be touching anything on the platform, which is GLI certified. It’s really a change of the branding alone.”
The issues will be addressed in the next few months and representatives from Penn are expected at the September meeting to answer questions.
