All six operators that applied for untethered Category 3 Massachusetts online sports betting licenses have received the final stamp of approval from the Massachusetts Gaming Commission.
DraftKings, FanDuel, Bally Bet, Betr, PointsBet, and Betway — of all which are “untethered” to a brick-and-mortar casino — are now cleared to prepare their apps for launch. The start of mobile wagering in the state is targeted for early March, and 11 companies are on track to launch online sports betting sites in Massachusetts.
Massachusetts Sports Betting License Breakdown
The Massachusetts sports betting license-approval process dates back to early December. In all, the MGC has approved 14 applications.
Untethered Category 3 online licenses:
- DraftKings Massachusetts
- FanDuel Massachusetts
- Bally Bet
- Betr
- PointsBet Massachusetts
- Betway
BetMGM, Caesars, WynnBET, Barstool Sportsbook, and BetFanatics were awarded tethered Category 3 online licenses. These betting sites will be paired with one of the state’s land-based casinos.
- Encore Boston Harbor: WynnBET and Caesars
- MGM Springfield: BetMGM
- Plainridge Park Casino (PPC): Penn Sports Interactive (Barstool) and Fanatics
Classified as Category 1 operators, the casinos can partner with up to two Category 3 operators. Massachusetts will officially launch retail sports betting at its three casinos on Jan. 31, with a soft launch the day before. Suffolk Downs and Raynham Park have told regulators they won’t be ready to launch retail sportsbooks in time for the retail launch date, so their applications are on hold for now.
Massachusetts law allows for up to 15 online sports betting licenses. Only 11 have been claimed. These approvals mean the sports betting market in Massachusetts will have a decent amount of choices for consumers when it finally goes live in about two months.