The six online operators approved to launch mobile sports betting offerings in Massachusetts – FanDuel, DraftKings, WynnBet, Barstool, BetMGM and Caesars – have gone live in Massachusetts.
More than six months on from when then-governor Charlie Baker signed House Bill 5164 into law, players have begun placing bets from the six online operators licensed by the Massachusetts Gaming Commission (MGC) – joining the now majority of US states that have legalized the activity.
The rollout follows the launch of retail sports betting towards the end of January, that permitted any land-based casino or racetrack operator to apply for a license.
“The debut of sports betting in Massachusetts has delivered an incredible amount of excitement and activity to our retail Sportsbook at MGM Springfield,” said BetMGM CEO Adam Greenblatt. “We’re proud to expand our best-in-class wagering experience statewide during one of sports’ biggest months of action.”
Role of sports fans
President of Caesars Digital Eric Hession took to opportunity to thank the MGC for permitting the company’s online sportsbook expansion to the state, as well as emphasizing the role of sports fans in the new system.
“With the sports calendar gaining momentum and multiple Massachusetts teams having remarkable seasons, it’s a great time to bring a new entertainment experience to sports fans in the Commonwealth,” he said.
FanDuel went even further and opted to announce a new partnership with ice hockey team the Boston Bruins on the same day it launched its online offering Massachusetts.
“Bruins fans are the true embodiment of that passion and we look forward to supporting the team this season and beyond,” said FanDuel chief commercial officer Mike Raffensperger.
Licensing process
The MGC received 15 applications for the category 3 online only sports betting license prior the November submission deadline.
These included every kind of operator from smaller ones like Joey Levy and Jake Paul’s micro betting start-up Betr, to FanDuel – by far the largest operator in the US by revenue.
These included three land-based category one licenses, six online licenses tethered to a land-based license and six stand-alone online only licenses.
Under the text of Massachusetts sports betting law, the regulator may issue up seven such licenses. However, more licenses are available tethered to a licensed land-based entity.
The state appears to be set for a relatively stringent regulatory regime, with the online sports betting licensing hearings being some of the strictest yet seen across the USA.