MGM GAME FOR SPORT BETTING
Likely eyes Mass. legalization
The owners of Massachusetts’ only operating casino have been one of the most active companies inking sports betting partnerships in recent months — a sign MGM Resorts will likely push hard for legal sports betting in the Bay State.
“The reason why they want it is because people think it should be part of casinos,” said the Rev. Richard McGowan, a gaming expert at Boston College. “For them, it’s natural.”
Earlier this week, MGM announced a new betting partnership with Major League Baseball that will include data sharing and brand placement. Last month, the casino company announced a similar partnership with the National Hockey League and entered into another partnership with the NBA this past summer.
“We expect Massachusetts will consider legalization and look forward to working with policy makers on legislation that protects consumers, eradicates the illegal market and boosts the state through additional tax revenues and other economic benefits,” an MGM spokesman said in a statement.
Sports books are not generally significant moneymakers for casinos, but have become an intrinsic part of the casino experience in Las Vegas.
“Not only will the MGM be making their play, but I’m sure the Encore Boston Harbor will want it,” McGowan said.
A number of parties, including potential betting providers and major sports leagues, have already been involved in discussions with lawmakers, and a number of top legislators have said they are hoping to take up sports betting early next year. A sports betting bill would likely be the first step, with oversight and regulatory authority passed on to an independent agency. Operators and regulators would target getting the industry up and running by September 2019, when the football season begins.
Though there are a number of companies interested in legal sports betting, there are likely to be differences in how the companies push for legalization. DraftKings and other mobile and internet companies are expected to push for online and mobile betting with few restrictions, while casinos may argue betting should be limited to licensed gaming companies or physical brick-and-mortar locations.
This week, Rhode Island became the first New England state to legalize sports betting, and the eighth in the nation. Massachusetts lawmakers are likely to be sensitive to potential revenue leaving the state.
“They're going to see all the money flowing out of Massachusetts into Rhode Island. It’s just a matter of time,” McGowan said. “There’s all kinds of pressure on the legislature.”