Casinos seek to control sports betting in Massachusetts

Two casinos in Massachusetts are seeking control over the state’s future sports betting markets.

US.- Casino operators in Massachusetts have urged lawmakers to allow them to control any future sports betting market in the state.

Plainridge Park Casino and Encore Boston Harbor have written to say that they should be given the authority to take bets on sporting events in person and online since they have begun to create a “robust brick and mortar gaming industry” in the state.

The companies believe they should be permitted to partner with one online sportsbook.

The letter said: “A robust brick and mortar gaming industry is just beginning to emerge in Massachusetts. As previously noted, its viability is affected by neighboring state competitive advantages. The public interest, and the jobs and taxes that our facilities support, depends upon a sensible regulatory approach.”

The House included sports betting in its economic development bill in July, but the Senate excluded it from its jobs bill arguing that it should be dealt with separately. No definite timeframe was set