Janjigian said the development was contingent on the state allowing sports betting to commence at licensed horse racetracks. After that came by way of the 2022 sports betting bill, local voters in Sturbridge voted against the horse racing complex.<\/p>\n
Sturbridge’s local government rules require that such a project receive a two-thirds majority support from the community. Voters rejected Janjigian’s plan 449-325.<\/p>\n
This past weekend, a second horse racetrack bid was dismissed. A group of businesspeople in Hardwick had suggested building a $20 million horse racing facility and sportsbook at the nearly 400-acre Great Meadowbrook Farm.<\/p>\n
Voters expressed their opinion that the property, which was formerly the Goodfield Dairy Farm until 2021, shouldn’t be allowed to be rezoned for a horse racetrack and sportsbook. Developers had proposed constructing a 5,000-seat grandstand and a one-mile racecourse.<\/p>\n
\nWe’re disappointed,”<\/strong> said project spokesperson and former Democratic state Rep. John Stefanini. “We need to regroup and consider our next options. Hardwick is a beautiful community.”<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\nStefanini said a decision would be made by the end of February on whether the developers would resubmit their project plans for reconsideration.<\/p>\n
Horse Racetrack Sportsbooks<\/b><\/h2>\n
Massachusetts’ sports betting law included the horsemen, but didn’t provide the industry with financial discounts for entry. Just like the three casinos and each online sportsbook the MGC deems suitable for a sports gambling license in the commonwealth, Suffolk Downs and Raynham Park — should they decide to bet on sports betting — would need to pay $5 million each for the privilege.<\/p>\n
The sports betting license would be valid for five years, with renewals set at another $5 million for another five years. The holder of a Category 2 sportsbook license must also commit to investing $7.5 million into their brick-and-mortar facility within three years of receipt of a Category 2 sports wagering license.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
Massachusetts voters have opposed a second thoroughbred horse racetrack development pitched alongside a sportsbook. The Massachusetts Gaming Commission (MGC) is readying the debut of legal sports betting in the commonwealth. State lawmakers and Gov. Charlie Baker (R) legalized sports betting last year. The state’s expansion of gaming allows sports betting to occur in-person at the […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":25,"featured_media":252115,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[14577,1074],"tags":[81900,27,80968],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"\n
Massachusetts Voters Reject Another Horse Racetrack Sportsbook<\/title>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\n\n\n\n\n\t\n\t\n\t\n