Deadline day
Only six operators have applied for the seven available online-only sports betting licenses in Massachusetts.
a total of 15 applications
The Massachusetts Gaming Commission (MGC) confirmed that it had received a total of 15 applications by the deadline at 2pm Monday, with six opting for the online-only option. The six operators seeking an online-only license are PointsBet, FanDuel, DraftKings, Betway, Betr, and Bally Bet.
The Encore Boston Harbor, MGM Springfield, and Plainridge Park Casino each submitted an application for retail sportsbook licenses. These casinos are the only establishments in the state eligible to operate retail betting. The state plans to get land-based sportsbooks up and running by the end of January 2023.
A variety of licenses
Five companies submitted applications to allow them to launch online sportsbooks in collaboration with casinos. Caesars Sportsbook and WynnBET have partnered with Encore, Fanatics Sportsbook and Penn Sports Interactive with Plainridge, and BetMGM with the MGM Springfield.
Suffolk Downs has yet to announce its partner
Two racetracks in the state are also able to partner with one operator for an online betting license. Bet365 has applied to partner with Raynham Park, but Suffolk Downs has yet to announce its partner.
Under the current timeline, online sportsbooks will launch in early March 2023. State lawmakers estimated that a high number of sportsbooks vying for licenses could prompt a delay, however, the number has fallen drastically from the 40 operators who previously expressed interest.
Significant funds
Each of the 15 license applications will now go for review in public MGC meetings, for which the body will release its schedule soon. In order to submit an application, each operator has to pay a non-refundable fee of $200,000. As a result, the MGC took in a total of $3m by the Monday deadline. The actual license fee will then amount to $5m per operator.
These funds will go into a newly set up Sports Wagering Control Fund. The MGC will have control over the funds, with the money used to “finance the operational activities of the commission pertaining to sports wagering.”