The Massachusetts sports betting picture is becoming clearer.
The Massachusetts Gaming Commission received 15 total sports betting operator applications by Monday’s 2 p.m. deadline.
The state can have up to 15 online sports betting operators. There were six applicants for the untethered online sports betting licenses. Each applicant had to submit a $200,000 fee.
The current timetable calls for Massachusetts to launch retail sports betting in late January. Online sports betting in early March.
MA sports betting at retail casinos
Category 1 license submissions came from retail sportsbooks via Encore Boston Harbor, MGM Springfield and Plainridge Park.
Each of those casinos can have up to two online skins. Encore Boston Harbor plans to operate WynnBet and Caesars Sportsbook. MGM Springfield will not have a competitor and just operate BetMGM. Plainridge Park intends to operate Barstool Sportsbook and Fanatics Sportsbook.
Those licenses are subject to MGC approval.
Sports betting via online-only apps
Category 3 (untethered) license applications came from Bally Bet, Betr, Betway, DraftKings, FanDuel and Pointsbet.
Category 2 (racetrack) license applications came from Raynham Park and Suffolk Downs. Both tracks will not be prepared to offer retail sports betting by Jan. 2023, and their respective applications will be allowed on a rolling basis.
Raynham Park plans to operate an online skin via bet365. Suffolk Downs’ online plans at this point for its one skin are unclear.
MGC concerns alleviated
The MGC had been concerned about being overwhelmed with application submissions after over 40 operators submitted Notices of Intent in late September.
While 15 applications are a heavy lift, it’s still less than 40.
A schedule for applications to be publicly reviewed will come in the future, the MGC said.
