Massachusetts: Caesars partners with Raynham Park to bring "one of the largest" race, sports betting facilities in the US

Caesars Entertainment confirmed Monday that it is partnering with Raynham Park in Massachusetts on a new Caesars Sportsbook retail location. The plan comes as the Bay State works on launching its new sports gaming industry by the end of the month.

The sports betting heavyweight’s partnership with Raynham Park, just south of Boston, would mark Caesars’ first in-person foray into the state, pending approval by the Massachusetts Gaming Commission. The deal includes the eventual opening of a 30,000-square-foot Caesars Sportsbook, which the company says will become “one of the largest free-standing race and sports wagering facilities in the United States.”

“Raynham Park is in an excellent location in southeast Massachusetts and will be one of just a few retail sports betting locations in the Commonwealth,” said Eric Hession, President of Caesars Digital. “It’s great to partner with the Carney family, which has a long history in the community and an exciting vision for a tremendous sports entertainment and pari-mutuel simulcasting facility.”

Chris Carney and his father, George Carney, have filed a request with the Massachusetts Gaming Commission to operate a sportsbook with Caesars at their former greyhound track in Raynham. The place still operates as a simulcasting parlor, where gamblers can place bets on televised horse and dog races, even though live racing ended there more than a decade ago.

Today we are announcing plans to offer in-person sports betting through a partnership with Raynham Park, pending approval by the Massachusetts Gaming Commission.

This partnership includes the eventual opening of a 30,000-square-foot Caesars Sportsbook retail location. pic.twitter.com/Tif6Ssh8hT

— Caesars Sportsbook (@CaesarsSports) January 23, 2023

Caesars Sportsbook at Raynham Park plans to initially open as a temporary sportsbook inside the current simulcasting facility before later moving nearby into “one of the biggest standalone sports betting and pari-mutuel simulcasting establishments in the U.S.,” following regulatory approvals. The sportsbook will feature “an elevated atmosphere” as part of a new building expected to be completed by the middle of the current year.

“Caesars Sportsbook is the strongest retail sports gaming brand in the industry and we are extremely proud to announce our partnership,” said Raynham Park owner Chris Carney. “Our sportsbook will be one of the largest sports gaming destinations not only in Massachusetts but in the United States. With Caesars' legendary commitment to quality and integrity, Raynham Park will be a world-class venue that will set a new standard for gaming in Massachusetts.”

In addition to in-person sports wagering and horse racing simulcast wagering at Raynham Park, Caesars Sportsbook plans to launch online sports betting when mobile wager goes live later this year, currently targeted by regulators for a March launch. The operator was found to have met the eligibility requirements for a temporary mobile sports betting license by the Massachusetts Gaming Commission earlier this month. 

Once mobile sports wagering launches in Massachusetts, Caesars Sportsbook at Raynham Park will also offer Caesars Sportsbook mobile customers the added convenience of accepting Caesars Sportsbook mobile account cash deposits at the facility, the company noted. The Caesars Racebook app also recently launched for Massachusetts customers, offering a horse racing wagering menu and livestreaming from racetracks around the world. 

George Carney, Raynham Park founder

“This partnership brings together Raynham Park – with more than 80 years of gaming experience in Massachusetts – with an industry leader in responsible gaming and responsible gaming education in Caesars,” the parties said. “Caesars Sportsbook will continue to emphasize responsible gaming education and the importance of customers staying in control of their play through tools available on the Caesars Sportsbook app.”

Plans are beginning to take shape for sports betting in Massachusetts, as the state prepares to introduce in-person betting at its three casinos – simulcast facilities will go live later – on January 31, following a soft launch a day earlier. The sports betting law in Massachusetts and the state’s current gaming infrastructure allow for up to five brick-and-mortar betting facilities at three casinos and two racetracks.

As many as eight mobile sports betting licenses can be tethered to those land-based facilities. There are also up to seven “untethered” licenses for online sports betting available in the state, meaning there may be as many as 15 mobile sportsbooks in Massachusetts.