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bet365, a huge global gambling brand active in three states, has pulled its application to offer mobile sports betting in Massachusetts ahead of an expected March launch.
The England-based company was to offer mobile sports betting in Massachusetts as a partner of Raynham Park, a former horse racing track now operating as a simulcast facility south of Boston. A”Category 3″ license would have allowed bet365 to offer its product in the state as a so-called “tethered” partner, where standalone mobile apps apply with a retail cohort.
Spokespersons at both bet35 and Raynham Park confirmed the move, which came after the track named a different partner for retail wagering last week. bet365 could eventually re-apply with the Massachusetts Gaming Commission. In Massachusetts, up to 15 mobile sports betting platforms are allowed, with eight tethered to retail properties, including pari-mutuel facilities and casinos. Eleven of those spots have been filled.
Massachusetts Online Sportsbooks
These are the 11 mobile sportsbooks that have received the green light in Massachusetts.
- Bally Bet
- Barstool Sportsbook
- BetMGM Massachusetts
- Betr
- Betway
- Caesars Massachusetts
- DraftKings Massachusetts
- Fanatics
- FanDuel Massachusetts
- PointsBet
- WynnBET
Raynham Park Adds Caesars, Loses bet365
Raynham Park’s sports betting facility is expected to feature more than 30,000 feet of gaming space. Track founder George Carney had said when the deal was initially announced with bet365, “We are thrilled to partner with the world’s largest online sports betting company to offer this high-demand entertainment option to our customers.
“This partnership is the next step in the evolution of Raynham Park as we move toward the opening of our sportsbook, which will be one of the largest in the United States and set a new standard for destination gaming in Massachusetts,” he added.
Raynham on Jan. 23 announced it had affiliated with Caesars Sportsbook for retail. Caesars will also launch a mobile app in Massachusetts.
“Raynham Park is in an excellent location in southeast Massachusetts and will be one of just a few retail sports betting locations in the Commonwealth,” Eric Hession, President of Caesars Digital said in a release. “It’s great to partner with the Carney family, which has a long history in the community and an exciting vision for a tremendous sports entertainment and pari-mutuel simulcasting facility. We look forward to showcasing the Caesars commitment to world-class experiences through this partnership.”
A temporary sportsbook is scheduled to proceed the permanent one inside the simulcast facility.
Boston Market on Hold in Bet365 Expansion Moves
bet365 is currently active in Colorado, Ohio, and New Jersey and is expected to eventually Virginia. It’s licensed in 20 jurisdictions globally. The privately-held company has expanded rapidly in the US in the past year, as it hadn’t added a state since New Jersey in 2019.
A company spokesperson said Massachusetts represented a “natural fit for us as we continue our US expansion” when the deal was announced.
Massachusetts Retail Sports Betting Set for Jan. 31 Launch
Retail sports betting is slated to begin in Massachusetts on Jan. 31 at Encore Boston Harbor (Everett), MGM Springfield, and Plainridge Park Casino (Plainville).
Though casinos get to go first, Raynham Park will also eventually take bets as a retail outlet. Under Massachusetts law, retail shops can have different partners for in-person and “tethered” mobile betting.
Both Raynham Park and Suffolk Downs — a former thoroughbred track that now offers simulcasting — are allowed two online partners under Category 2 licenses.
