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In a turn of events, Massachusetts sports betting will not be coming to Raynham Park.
According to Todd Grossman, Executive Director of the Massachusetts Gaming Commission, the Caesars Sportsbook said it was no longer moving forward with its agreement with the Massasoit Greyhound Association, the company behind the racetrack.
Caesars Sportsbook cuts ties with Raynham Park
Massachusetts regulators were currently reviewing the racetrack’s request for a retail sports betting license.
In a Boston Herald business news story, Grossman said:
“Caesars Sportsbook has terminated the operating lease agreement that was in place between MGA and Caesars. That agreement set out the terms and conditions under which Caesars would essentially operate the sportsbook if MGA were to be awarded the category two license. As a result of that termination, as of today, MGA is without an entity to operate the sportsbook.”
Although Caesars will no longer pursue a retail sportsbook, it still has a presence in Massachusetts. The company operates online sports betting through an agreement with Encore Boston Harbor.
Not the first Massachusetts sports betting deal to fall apart for Raynham Park
With Caesars’ exit, Raynham Park lacks a retail or mobile sports betting partner. Earlier this year, Bet365 announced it dropped its bid to offer online sports betting through a license tethered to Raynham Park.
In an open meeting Friday, the gaming commission heard about several environmental violations concerning the handling and disposal of hazardous materials committed by companies operated by the Carney family, owners of Raynham Park.
Before its deal fell apart, the sportsbook was pitched as a 60,000-square-foot facility with over 30,000 square feet of gaming space. The space included:
- Two restaurants
- Seven bars
- Private rooms
- Capacity of 2,000 guests
Earlier this year, Eric Hession, Caesars Digital President, said: “Raynham Park is in an excellent location in southeast Massachusetts and will be one of just a few retail sports betting locations in the Commonwealth.”
Whether or not the racetrack pursues another Massachusetts sports betting partner remains unknown.
