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March 10 is the target launch date for mobile sports betting in Massachusetts.
The announcement was made by Massachusetts Gaming Commission Executive Director Karen Wells during a committee meeting Thursday. The date was chosen, she said, to give mobile operators a couple of days for last-minute fixes ahead of March Madness’ Selection Sunday on March 12.
“There are some events folks might want to wager on March 10 itself, so that’s why the recommendation came down,” said Wells.
Wells says that betting is tentatively slated to launch at 10 a.m. ET on March 10.
The first round of March Madness games begins on March 14.
Up to 11 mobile sportsbooks are expected to launch in the Bay State under a 2022 state law allowing retail and mobile sports betting tied to the state’s three casinos and six standalone apps.
Retail sports betting launched at the Massachusetts casinos – Plainridge Park Casino, MGM Springfield, and Encore Boston Harbor – on Jan. 31.
Massachusetts Sportsbooks Must Have Internal Controls in Place Before March 10
Wells said mobile sportsbooks in Massachusetts must have internal controls (that ensure the integrity of the betting system) approved if they hope to launch on March 10. Sportsbooks that are not responsive to issues of concerns raised by commission staff might see their launch plans put on hold.
“If applicants cannot respond or do not respond to needed modifications to their internal controls that potentially impacts the timeline,” Wells told the commission.
Not that the launch date itself will change. Wells said commission staff may launch some sportsbooks ahead of others on responsiveness to questions about system integrity.
But Wells emphasized Thursday that mobile operators are being given a shot at a simultaneous launch.
“We are giving every operator the equivalent attention to their internal controls. No one would be in a better position or worse position (for launch),” she told the commission.
Massachusetts Mobile Sportsbooks To Be Issued Temporary Licenses on Feb. 23
The MGC spent months approving sports betting licensing for casinos and sportsbooks ahead of this year’s retail and mobile launch. Mobile operators approved for the casinos are BetMGM (MGM Springfield), WynnBET and Caesars Sportsbooks (Encore), and Barstool and Fanatics (Plainridge Park).
Mobile sportsbooks approved by the commission that are not tied to a casino include the following:
– DraftKings Massachusetts
– FanDuel Massachusetts
– Bally Bet
– Betr
– PointsBet Massachusetts
– Betway
Temporary licenses have been approved by the commission for the majority of the sportsbooks. Wells said Thursday that those licenses are expected to be issued on or around Feb. 23 to sportsbooks that have officially requested the license (separate from a license application) and paid the $1 million temporary licensing fee.
“I will be making my determination that they are qualified gaming entities on that date,” said Wells.
