Encore First to Get Mass Sports Betting License....Others in Limbo
Encore is the only casino establishment in the commonwealth of Massachusetts to obtain a sports betting license as regulators there are showing they're not messing around.
"I think it'll do pretty good for us," said Jim Ghikas, general manager of Mike's Roast Beef, right across the street from Encore. "A lot of people go in there already and they do come here afterwards, and more bettors in there will only increase our business. We're looking forward to it."
Encore is owned and operated by Wynn Resorts.
Next is MGM Resorts. They should be a shoo-in. After all, the company operates the beloved MGM Springfield.
There is a problem though. MGM is partnered with Entain out of Europe and it is Entain that will run the mobile sportsbook. Commissioners are unfamiliar with that company. That may not be a bad thing, until commissioners start digging deeper. Then it is a gold mine of What The F***ery.
If we were betting people, our money is on MGM Resorts utlimately obtaining a sports betting license. The company is well regarded and entrenched in Massachusetts already. We'd be surprised if they continue working with Entain through 2023, but let's see what happens. MGM without this partnership has probably a 95% chance of getting approved for a sports betting license in our opinion. This may be a wake up call for MGM.
Barstool Sports, that's another story. We think there is a good chance Bar Stool Sports does not get licensed in Massachusetts. Commissioners have expressed concerns over the face of that book, David Portnoy. Parent company, Penn National, was already told they'll be heavily scrutinized and their application postponed.
- Gilbert Horowitz, Gambling911.com
