PointsBet became the final operator to have its suitability review with state regulators for an untethered online MA sports betting license.
On Wednesday, the Massachusetts Gaming Commission will reconvene and go through a collective review of the six untethered online Massachusetts sports betting applicants before voting to award licensure.
The MGC built in a three-day window (Wednesday to Friday) to finish the review and voting process.
MA sports betting launch timeline
The six untethered applicants went through their reviews in order:
- Bally Bet
- betr
- Betway
- DraftKings
- FanDuel
- PointsBet
Massachusetts is expected to launch retail sports betting Jan. 31. The state is expected to launch online sports betting in early March prior to the NCAA Tournament.
PointsBet representatives said they intend to launch on-time.
PointsBet college partnerships
State regulators put PointsBet’s collegiate partnerships with the universities of Colorado and Maryland under scrutiny.
Commissioner Eileen O’Brien questioned how those partnerships adhere to the American Gaming Association’s recommendations that there be no advertising and marketing on campuses beyond those about job opportunities.
“We are closely considering those AGA recommendations,” PointsBet VP of legal and compliance Rachel Kasper said. “No resolution on our end, but we take everything the do very seriously.”
College marketing, advertising ban
O’Brien said PointsBet would be allowed to continue under the specific condition they do not implement any marketing or advertising on any MA college campuses.
Previously, Caesars was also met with similar scrutiny from the MGC for its college partnerships with LSU and Michigan State. O’Brien also mentioned other operators saying they didn’t have any college partnerships whatsoever.
“We would make the same commitment to you in Massachusetts,” Kasper said. “We’re more than happy to meet that standard.”
Other outstanding PointsBet issues
State regulators also requested additional information from PointsBet on its supplier and diversity goals, including overall spending plans. While state regulators liked PointsBet’s section on responsible gaming, it hopes the operator increases its diversity, specifically surrounding having just 23% women in its workforce.
In addition, the MGC requested more info regarding an Indiana self-exclusion matter from September 2020.
PointsBet was not questioned about its now-defunct partnership with Drew Brees. The company ended that arrangement after Brees accepted an interim coaching role at his alma mater, Purdue.
MA sports betting regulations up next
The MGC will also go through sports betting regulations on Wednesday morning.
Like the Ohio Casino Control Commission, the MGC is expected to prohibit operators from using the term “free bet” concerning promotional wagers.
The OCCC has operators use the term “bet credit.”
