In the eastern American state of Massachusetts and the owner of the Raynham Park facility has reportedly announced that he is planning to bring an on-site retail sportsbook to the former greyhound racing property sometime early next year.

According to a Monday report from local television broadcaster WJAR-TV, the Bristol County venue was transformed into a simulcast center after local lawmakers passed legislation in 2008 that outlawed greyhound racing. The source detailed that the enterprise now features a restaurant and a function room alongside a lounge that offers aficionados the ability to wager on out-of-state dog and horseracing events every day of the week except Tuesdays.

Legislative transformation:

However, Massachusetts Governor Charlie Baker reportedly signed legislation into law about nine weeks ago that saw ‘The Bay State’ become the latest American jurisdiction to legalize retail and online sportsbetting following the 2018 revocation of the federal prohibition that had been contained within the Professional and Amateur Sports Protection Act (PASPA). This could purportedly see the jurisdiction of almost seven million people launch retail sportsbooks by the end of January followed a few months later by mobile-friendly online sports wagering activities.

Interesting intent:

George Carney is the owner of the Raynham Park facility and he reportedly told the broadcaster that he is now looking forward to taking advantage of this legislation by opening an on-site retail sportsbook. The local entrepreneur purportedly disclosed that he is planning to demolish the enterprise situated just north of the town of Raynham once the rules on retail sportsbetting are approved by the Massachusetts Gaming Commission in advance of building a new sportsbook complete with a revamped restaurant.

Carney reportedly told WJAR-TV…

I think it’s going to be a big winner because the younger people are very interested in it. We’re going to emphasize televisions and good food and we’re going to have a very nice restaurant as we always have. It will be a first-class operation.”

Inaugural trio:

The broadcaster reported that the Massachusetts Gaming Commission is currently in the process of finalizing the specific rules and processes for firms who may want to enter the territory’s coming sports wagering market. The five-member regulator purportedly recently resolved that it would permit the state’s MGM Springfield, Encore Boston Harbor and slots-only Plainridge Park Casino properties to roll out retail sportsbooks in ‘late January’ followed by the premiere of online sportsbetting by ‘early March.’

Representative recommendation:

Marc Pacheco from the Massachusetts State Senate has represented the area around Raynham since 1993 and he reportedly told WJAR-TV that he supported the move to bring legalized sportsbetting to Massachusetts. The Democratic legislator purportedly went on to disclose that locals will soon be able to place online wagers on their favorite sports teams using apps from such firms as DraftKings Incorporated and FanDuel Group as well as via retail sportsbooks inside venues including Raynham Park.

A statement from Pacheco reportedly read…

“The legislation that has been passed now will allow for another 300 to 400 jobs at this site and millions of dollars that would be coming into the commonwealth in terms of additional tax revenues.”