Photo: Getty Images North America
BOSTON (WBZ NewsRadio) — The Massachusetts Gaming Commission voted unanimously Thursday to deny a request from Boston-based sports betting company DraftKings to allow legal betting on the upcoming 127th Boston Marathon.
The gaming commission voted 4-0, voicing their displeasure that they were not consulted in the matter.
"With any request, my expectation would be that an operator would reach out to the governing body," Mass. Gaming Commissioner Eileen O'Brien said at Thursday's meeting. "The Boston Marathon in particular, what it means to this city and what it means this year, ten years out from the tragedy, I am disappointed to say the least that the local operator did not in fact do that."
The Boston Athletic Association also voiced their disproval of DraftKings' request, saying that planning for the April 17 race has been underway for more than a year, and with a little over a week to go, there is not enough time for everyone involved to coordinate and ensure proper protocols.
"Without time to undergo analysis and proper due diligence, we are concerned about how such an expedited approval would potentially impact the event," BAA Chief Marketing Officer Scott Stover wrote in a letter to the Mass. Gaming Commission Wednesday. "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."
"I am absolutely inclined to listen to the organizers of the event, who have said even needing to respond to this is a distraction for them in getting ready for something that's going to happen in a matter of days," O'Brien said.
"There are few greater events than the Boston Marathon and it's nationally known, but in the Commonwealth it's very local, and it underpins a local holiday, and I'm going to respect this local organization's request to be included in the process that could potentially allow wagering on their event," Commissioner Jordan Maynard noted.
Follow WBZ NewsRadio: Facebook | Twitter | Instagram | iHeartmedia App