Regulators deny request to allow betting on Boston Marathon

BOSTON (AP) — Massachusetts playing regulators on Thursday denied a request to permit authorized betting on this yr’s Boston Marathon, citing considerations by the race’s organizers.

All 4 members of the Massachusetts Gaming Fee who participated within the on-line assembly voted in opposition to the request by DraftKings.

Fee Chair Cathy Judd-Stein shared an e mail she obtained Wednesday from the Boston Athletic Affiliation, which runs the marathon.

“At this second, there may be not enough time for the Boston Athletic Affiliation, nor its many companions and businesses, to coordinate and absolutely guarantee correct protocols are in place to help such a proposal for wagering on our occasion,” mentioned Scott Stover, chief advertising and marketing officer for the BAA.

He added: “Till we will full due diligence, our considerations embrace, however are usually not restricted to, making certain occasion safety and potential affect on the end result 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 native group’s request to be included within the course of that might probably ever permit wagering on their occasion, and for that purpose I additionally respect that they don’t assume they will work out any points in 12 days, and that appears cheap,” Commissioner Jordan Maynard mentioned.

Commissoner Brad Hill referred to as the proposal “not prepared for prime time.”

Though the Boston Marathon attracts about 30,000 runners, the DraftKings proposal would have allowed bets to be positioned solely on the elite ladies’s and males’s runners.

“We respect the choice made by the Massachusetts Gaming Fee and stay up for our continued work with them,” DraftKings mentioned in an announcement.

The state final month began permitting on-line sports activities wagering on professional sports activities and a few faculty sports activities. The web rollout got here a few month after in-person sports activities betting began on the state’s three casinos.

The BAA in an announcement didn’t immediately deal with the fee’s choice.

“With 11 days to go till the 127th Boston Marathon, our focus stays on creating the perfect occasion expertise for our contributors, volunteers, spectators, and neighborhood members,” the assertion mentioned. “We’ll don’t have any additional remark at the moment.”