The Massachusetts Gaming Commission voted unanimously on Thursday to reject a request from DraftKings to allow betting on this year's Boston Marathon.
DraftKings submitted its proposal to allow people to wager on this year's race earlier this week.
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But the commission voted 4-0 to deny the request, based in large part on a letter from the Boston Athletic Association, which organizes the marathon.
"The Boston Athletic Association has not been consulted in this matter and have concerns related to this proposal, as the Boston Marathon is only 12 days today," B.A.A. Chief Marketing Officer Scott Stover said in an email to the gaming commission sent on the eve of Thursday's meeting. "Planning for the 2023 Boston Marathon has been underway for more than a year and is in its final stages. In preparing for this year's events, we have worked wtih countless constituents, ranging from the local, national and international level."
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"At this moment, there is not sufficient time for the Boston Athletic Association, not 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," Stover added. "Without time to undergo analysis and proper due diligence, we are conerned about how such an expedited approval would potentially impact the event." He said that includes ensuring event security and potential influence on the outcome of the race.
He also pointed out that the Boston Marathon is trademarked, and the B.A.A. has not granted permission to use it in relation to the sports betting proposal.
Before voting on Thursday, gaming commission member Jordan Maynard made it clear he couldn't support DraftKings' request given the B.A.A.'s opposition.
"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," he said. "And 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. I also respect that they don't think they can work out any issues in 12 days, and that seems resonable... it's not going to happen."
Commission member Eileen O'Brien expressed similar reservations.
"With any request, my expectation would be an operator would reach out to a governing body, the Boston Marathon in particular, given what it means to the city and particularly this year, 10 years out from the tragedy. I am disappointed to say the least that the operator did not do that."
Sports gambling became legal in Massachusetts earlier this year, and people can already wager on a number of sports.
"It was probably something that no one realized, 'Hey wait a second this isn’t in the catalogue, we need to get this done,'" sports betting analyst Bill Speros said. "Their job is to look at events. To look at sports books and decide whether these events fit into their interpretation of the laws governing sports betting."
The Boston-based sports book had asked the commission to add the marathon as part of the special events category.
"The Boston Marathon is the world's oldest annual marathon and one of the most famous road racing events," DraftKings said in its proposal. "DraftKings will only be offering the top 20 men and women professional winners and winning time for wagering."
