The daddy-son homeowners of Raynham Park, George and Chris Carney, need to deliver a Caesars Sportsbook to their former greyhound racetrack. However the Carneys’ sports activities betting ambitions stay tied up with the Massachusetts Gaming Fee (MGC).
Chris (left) and George Carney stand inside their Raynham Park pari-mutuel off-track betting facility on Sept. 29, 2022. The Carneys need to deliver a Caesars Sportsbook to their former greyhound racetrack in Massachusetts. (Picture: Boston Herald)
Raynham Park ceased stay greyhound on Jan. 1, 2010, after state voters earlier handed a poll referendum banning canine racing. Till this month, the pari-mutuel facility operated as an off-track betting enterprise providing wagering alternatives on greyhound races contested exterior of the commonwealth.
However Massachusetts legislation, efficient Aug. 1, 2023, now bans greyhound wagering no matter the place the race is held. Raynham Park’s OTB continues to offer bettors entry to thoroughbred and harness racing and simulcasts. However for the deteriorating racetrack to seek out new life, the Carneys consider the most effective wager is a sportsbook.
In January, the Carneys introduced a partnership with Caesars Leisure to deliver the Las Vegas Strip on line casino large to southeastern Massachusetts. The youthful Carney, Chris, has recognized Dan Shapiro, chief improvement officer for Caesars Digital, for a few years. Chris and Dan are liable for the on line casino and sports activities betting behemoth agreeing to deliver its iconic model to Raynham, a suburban city about 30 miles south of Boston.
Suitability Setbacks
In June, the Carneys’ Raynham Park and Caesars Sportsbook utilized for a Class 2 sports activities wagering license with the MGC. Cat. 2 sportsbook purposes include a $200K nonrefundable price, which is used to cowl the regulatory prices to assessment the applying.
Probably the most complete a part of the applying assessment course of is figuring out whether or not the key stakeholders behind the entity are appropriate to carry a sports activities betting license. Whereas the MGC doesn’t make these suitability outcomes public, an issue was present in approving Chris.
That resulted within the MGC frequently delaying a vote on the Raynham Park/Caesars Cat. 2 license. The candidates are actually searching for to revise the submission by eradicating Chris from the tender.
The Carneys say Chris gained’t have a monetary curiosity within the sports activities betting operation ought to or not it’s licensed. However MGC officers, together with Investigations Enforcement Bureau Director Loretta Lilios, mentioned the youthful Carney stays “integrally intertwined” with the enterprise.
The MGC throughout its Wednesday dialogue on the Raynham Park Caesars Sportsbook software opted to additional postpone a vote on the submission. The MGC will subsequent take into account the movement throughout its August 18 assembly.
Sportsbook Particulars
The Carneys had hoped to have the Caesars Sportsbook at Raynham Park up and operating in time for this fall’s NFL and faculty soccer seasons. That point line has lengthy handed due to the MGC delays.
Caesars has advised constructing a standalone construction adjoining to the previous greyhound monitor that may span about 60,000 sq. toes. In line with their earlier plans, the Carneys would bankroll the $28 million funding. The ability would include a capability for as much as 2,000 individuals, together with standing room.
Caesars is already working an internet sportsbook in Massachusetts via its partnership with Wynn Resorts’ Encore Boston Harbor. The state’s three casinos are afforded Class 1 sports activities betting licenses, which permit them to function in-person sports activities betting and as much as two on-line platforms.
