BOSTON — Massachusetts playing regulators on Thursday denied a request to permit authorized betting on this 12 months’s Boston Marathon, citing issues by the race’s organizers.
All 4 members of the Massachusetts Gaming Commission who participated within the on-line assembly voted towards the request by DraftKings.
Commission chair Cathy Judd-Stein shared an e mail she acquired Wednesday from the Boston Athletic Association, which runs the marathon.
“At this moment, there is not sufficient time for the Boston Athletic Association, nor its many partners and agencies, to coordinate and fully ensure proper protocols are in place to support such a proposal for wagering on our event,” mentioned Scott Stover, chief advertising and marketing officer for the BAA.
He added: “Until we can complete due diligence, our concerns include, but are not limited to, ensuring event security and potential influence on the outcome of the race.”
The commissioners additionally mentioned the proximity of the marathon, scheduled for April 17, and what they noticed as DraftKings’ lack of communication with the BAA.
“I’m going to respect this local organization’s request to be included in the process that could potentially ever allow wagering on their event, and for that reason I also respect that they don’t think they can work out any issues in 12 days, and that seems reasonable,” Commissioner Jordan Maynard mentioned.
Commissoner Brad Hill known as the proposal “not ready for prime time.”
Although the Boston Marathon attracts about 30,000 runners, the DraftKings proposal would have allowed bets to be positioned solely on the elite girls’s and males’s runners.
“We respect the decision made by the Massachusetts Gaming Commission and look forward to our continued work with them,” DraftKings mentioned in an announcement.
The state final month began permitting on-line sports wagering on professional sports and a few school sports. The on-line rollout got here a few month after in-person sports betting began on the state’s three casinos.
The BAA in an announcement didn’t instantly handle the fee’s resolution.
“With 11 days to go until the 127th Boston Marathon, our focus remains on creating the best event experience for our participants, volunteers, spectators, and community members,” the assertion mentioned. “We’ll have no further comment at this time.”
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