Raynham Park will be up and running again in September, adding another retail location for sports betting in Massachusetts.
Fingers crossed.
The Massachusetts Gaming Commission (MGC) on Monday spent close to seven hours, including an executive session, examining the Category 2 retail sportsbook license application at Raynham Park that will be operated by Caesars Sportsbook (Raynham Park will actually hold the license).
You think that would have been enough time to at least approve the company's license.
Think again.
The MGC will continue the Raynham hearing at a date when it can fit onto the commission's calendar.
Getting Raynham Ready
Raynham Park, a former greyhound racing track, is 35 miles (42 minutes) south of Boston. It is eligible for the state license for sports betting because it operates as a parimutuel and simulcasting facility.
The sportsbook would be one of the largest free-standing sportsbooks in the nation. Although no specific date has been set for the grand opening, a temporary site will open ahead of time. The permanent site is set for a late August/early September launch, just in time for the regular season and Massachusetts NFL betting.
Raynham still must be approved for a certificate of operation after its license application finally gets the go-ahead.
The temporary sportsbook facility will be opened first only for 21 and over patrons and will have a separate outdoor entrance for ID checks from Raynham's simulcasting site. The opening of the new permanent sportsbook has been delayed due to a lack of availability of construction material needed for the project.
More About Planned Caesars Sportsbook
Once the new Caesars Massachusetts sportsbook opens, it will have more than 30,000 square feet of public sports wagering space with 16 betting teller windows and 31 self-service betting kiosks. Be on the lookout for a Caesars Massachusetts promo code when it happens.
The facility will feature 400 video displays, including a stadium seating area overlooking one 63'x10' LED board, two 52'x7' LED boards, one 30'x7' LED board, one 12'x6' LED board and two 120'x2' LED sports tickers, which will provide updated scores, wagering data and other sports information.
There also will be three VIP rooms accommodating 75, 35 and 15 people, respectively.
Caesars Sportsbook also is among the operators of Massachusetts sports betting apps. Caesars offers retail sports wagering at close to 190 locations across 25 jurisdictions, with mobile betting in 21 states.
The Commonwealth currently has three retail sportsbooks located at the state's three casinos: Plainridge Park Casino (Barstool Sportsbook), Encore Boston Harbor in Everett (WynnBET Massachusetts) and MGM Springfield (BetMGM).
