Fanatics Sportsbook is nearing state regulatory approval to operate in the online MA sports betting market.
The Massachusetts Gaming Commission approved the Massachusetts sports betting house rules for Fanatics during its Tuesday meeting.
Next, Fanatics will go through approval of its certificate of operations on May 4, the final hurdle to clear before launch. The MGC has said Fanatics plans to launch in the Commonwealth at some point in May.
Still TBD on Fanatics US online launch
A spokesperson for Fanatics said the entity would not comment with any specifics on launch date plans until it receives final regulatory approval to operate in the jurisdiction. Fanatics said in mid-February it would not be ready for the initial launch of online MA sports betting on March 10.
Fanatics is currently beta-testing in Tennessee and Ohio. It is unclear whether it will also require beta-testing in Massachusetts.
Likewise, it is unclear whether Fanatics will launch in TN or OH prior to the Bay State.
Betr gets MA sports betting certificate
Also on Tuesday, Betr received approval from state regulators for its certificate of operations. Betr previously said it planned to launch in Massachusetts at some point in April. At this time, a go-live date is TBA.
Betr will soft launch in MA in the coming days, with hard launch shortly thereafter, LSR has learned.
Under state rules:
Before a sports wagering operator may conduct sports wagering, a sports wagering operator must request and obtain from the commission an operation certificate.
Current MA sports betting market
Betr will become the seventh entity to join the market. The others include:
- DraftKings
- FanDuel
- BetMGM
- Barstool
- WynnBet
- Caesars
The MGC has also said Bally Bet plans to come aboard in May. Meanwhile, Betway plans to join the MA market during Q1 2024.
State of Fanatics Sportsbook
Fanatics is currently operating an in-person sportsbook at FedEx Field in Maryland.
CEO Michael Rubin said at the 2023 World Congress of Sports that Fanatics is expected to be live in 12-15 states by the start of this year’s NFL betting season.
That is down from the 15-20 states Rubin expected during the same event in October last year.
Fanatics facing time crunch on launch
The 2023 NFL season kickoff game is scheduled for Sept. 7.
It means Fanatics will have less than five months to wrap up Tennessee, Ohio and Massachusetts, while adding several more jurisdictions to hit its CEO’s stated target.
One industry source told LSR that Fanatics is actively seeking market access in several jurisdictions.
