Massachusetts sports betting: Plainridge Park's license application hits snag

The Massachusetts Gaming Commission has halted sports betting as it reviews the first license application. The commission is concerned about the casino's owner's ties with Barstool Sports.

Plainridge Park's license application for sports betting in Massachusetts has hit a snag.

Plainridge Park Casino applied for a sports betting license. The commission rejected the application because of the company's recent acquisition of Barstool Sports. The company will be acquired by Penn Entertainment for $387 million early in the year.

Penn casinos now feature Barstool’s sports betting app and branding. New York Times article highlighted the personal gambling issues of BarStool founder David Portnoy. The commission postponed a vote on approving Plainridge Park”s application for sports gambling until a later date. Massachusetts legislature passed a bill legalizing sports betting in January of this year. Regulators hope to have it operational at three properties in the state before the Super Bowl in February 2019.