Massachusetts has issued a slew of temporary licences as the state gears up to follow a retail sports wagering launch with an online debut in two weeks time.
Following the January 31, 2023, launch of retail sports wagering in the Commonwealth, the region’s Gaming Commission has set March 10 as the debut date for the region’s digital domain.
During a public meeting, it was confirmed that temporary certifications have been issued to BallyBet, Barstool, BetMGM, Betr, Caesars, DraftKings, Fanatics, FanDuel and WynnBet.
However, despite being named as recipients, BallyBet and Fanatics each informed that regulator that they will not meet the aforementioned launch date and will instead enter the Bay State’s online arena during May.
PointsBet, a fellow category three licence applicant, informed the MGC ahead of the aforementioned meeting that the group would be withdrawing its application.
In a final update, despite not yet submitting a request for the temporary licence, Betway has signalled an intention to do so, alongside a $1m fee. However, the group has suggested that they will not be launching in the Commonwealth for approximately one year.
Massachusetts launched a voluntary self-exclusion program for sports betting ahead of the Bay State’s legalised ecosystem going live earlier in the year on January 31, 2023.
This saw Wynn Resorts’ Encore Boston Harbor, MGM Resorts International’s MGM Springfield and PENN Entertainment’s Plainridge Park Casino debut retail wagering.
Retail sports wagering in the Commonwealth launched within six months of former Governor Charlie Baker signing a sports wagering bill into law on August 10, 2022.
