#Suffolk Downs

Massachusetts is home to some of the world's best sports fans-and they're in luck. The recent announcement that in-person will launch in the Bay State on Jan. 31 is great news for everyone, unlocking access to the premier sportsbooks in the entire industry. That includes BetRivers Massachusetts, which is expected to be one of the operators that…

Legalized online and mobile sports betting got off to a fast start in Ohio. The state, which launched legal sports betting Jan. 1, recorded 11.3 million transactions over the course of New Year's weekend, according to GeoComply, which provides geolocation and anti-fraud solutions to the U.S. iGaming industry. Cincinnati saw the most legal mobile…

In Plymouth, residents have already had their say about a proposal by a Boston developer to build a thoroughbred racetrack in their community. Hardwick residents will get to decide on a thoroughbred racing proposal early in January. While both had the potential of bringing thoroughbred racing back to Massachusetts (Suffolk Downs closed in 2019),…

SPRINGFIELD, Mass. (WWLP) - The Massachusetts Gaming Commission has received 15 sports wagering operator applications before they hit their deadline on Monday. Businesses had the option to apply for three categories each: Category 1 license: This license allows operators to do in-person wagering at their properties and up to two online…

Patrons at Omaha's Horsemen's Park will find the simulcast wagering area much smaller than in the past, but an official says it's all for the greater good. The main simulcast facility at 63rd & Q closed its doors two weeks ago following the busy Breeders Cup weekend. In its place is a temporary home - a trailer that seats about 130 - until the…

On Tuesday, a spokesperson for Encore Boston Harbor said the casino reached a "preliminary agreement" with Caesars Interactive Entertainment for the operator to receive one of the property's mobile sports betting licenses. The agreement is one of the first major deals to be publicly disclosed as the Massachusetts Gaming Commission works to stand up…

Massachusetts gaming regulators offered clarity on Thursday on how sports gaming applications for horse tracks and simulcast centers in the state will be handled. Regulators unanimously voted to accept applications from those establishments on a rolling basis, a split from the upcoming deadline casinos and online gaming operators face later this…

When trainer Tom Van Berg won two Claiming Crown races Saturday with his first horses in that series, most racing regulars made the connection to his father, the late Hall-of-Fame conditioner Jack Van Berg. But a link to another family legacy in that series might not have been as apparent: John Timothy Kirby, 25, who also saddled his first Claiming…

Massachusetts Gaming Commission member Bradford Hill issued a cautionary warning for would-be Bay State bettors who hope to be wagering in Week 1 of the NFL season. Don't bet on it. During a regularly-scheduled meeting of the five-member Commission and Executive Director Karen Wells on Thursday, Hill said that the Commonwealth won't rush through…

HARDWICK - After weeks of being asked by opponents to slow down the process of approving the site of a proposed thoroughbred horse racing track, selectmen came under fire from the same people Monday for again putting off their vote. Initially, the board planned to vote Nov. 1, but on Tuesday, the town's website showed a meeting posted for 6:30 p.m.…

BOSTON - Many thought Thursday's Mass. Gaming Commission meeting would discuss a launch date. This was the goal as Cathy Judd-Stein at Wednesday's open forum hinted toward it. But, the commission met without voting in the morning. Voting on a launch date was a strong stance for some. Bradford Hill suggested to take lunch and vote later and Eileen…

BOSTON (State House News Service) - Most of the attention paid to its work recently has focused on implementation of legal sports betting, but the Massachusetts Gaming Commission has plenty of other weighty matters pending before it, from the potential expansion of Encore Boston Harbor's gaming footprint to two applications for horse racing…

The Massachusetts Gaming Commission finally will vote Thursday on potential MA sports betting launch dates in the Commonwealth. The MGC is set to vote for potential launch dates on both retail and online Massachusetts sports betting, an indication retail could go first. The meeting agenda also notes that general counsel will provide an overview of…

A timeline for legal sports betting launch in MA remains unclear.after the Massachusetts Gaming Commission heard from several operators Thursday during a 2.5-hour meeting. All the uncertainty means online sports betting operators may not be up and running in the state until 2023. The majority of online Massachusetts sports betting operators prefer…

Once in a while you are reminded of a horse that inspires curiosity. Perhaps a mention in a pedigree or a press release. A photo pops up in a search for something completely unrelated. This reminder came in the form of an Ebay listing. Oh yes, the horse, his name is Wallenda. The Ebay item was a winner's plaque from a very special race. The Suffolk…

This is an excerpt from WBUR's daily morning newsletter, WBUR Today. If you like what you read and want it in your inbox, . OK, now it feels like fall. With yesterday's rain behind us, we have a weekend of sunny - if seasonably crisp - weather ahead, and Boston isn't letting it go to waste. The city is celebrating the last weekend of September…

BOSTON - Regulators heard from more than 20 would-be Massachusetts sports betting providers on Thursday, with no consensus emerging on how temporary mobile licenses should be awarded or on whether the Bay State should allow all wagering to begin at the same time vs. a staggered start between mobile and/or retail operators. A law permitting sports…

Hours before the NFL season kicks off on Sept. 8, the Massachusetts Gaming Commission plans to huddle with its staff to discuss how the Bay State can expedite its pending sports betting launch. Recommendations shared that day could determine what action must be handled by state regulation - and what could be handled outside of regulation - "to give…

Retail books ready to do legal MA sports betting business could get some much-desired clarity this week. The MA Gaming Commission will have a meeting Thursday to discuss temporary licenses. Those temporary licenses would enable MA brick and mortar casinos Encore Boston Harbor (WynnBet), MGM Springfield (BetMGM) and Plainridge Park (Penn…