Massachusetts Sports Betting: No Consensus on Temporary Licenses
Regulators heard from more than 20 potential sports betting providers on Thursday. There is no consensus on temporary mobile licenses for sports gambling in Massachusetts. The law allows for seven untethered permanent mobile licences, but there are no limits on the number of temporary licenses the state can approve. Commissioner Cathy Judd-Stein called the gap between the temporary vs. permanent licenses "an inadvertent development in the legislation".
There is no consensus on temporary licenses for mobile betting providers in Massachusetts. There is a risk that they might have to shut down if they fail to get one of the seven permanent licenses. The biggest disagreement came on the retail side. DraftKings representative said an earlier start for retail would be inequitable. The commission indicated an openness to consider an early start. It also suggested an idea to go live at the same time as the other verticals.
20 companies sent representatives to the public hearing. They included Bally's, Betfred, Caesars, Fanatics, Hard Rock, MaximBet, and Novibet. Five operators are eligible for retail licenses and Category 2 mobile licenses: MGM Springfield/BetMGM, Plainridge Park Casino/Penn Entertainment, Encore Boston Harbor/WynnBET, Raynham Park and Suffolk Downs. The MGC has a "Sports Wagering Preparation" meeting scheduled Oct. 6 and an update on Oct 13. A " Sports Wagered Technical Review" is set for the M GC meeting on October 27.
There are 42 entities that have filed a formal Notice of Intent to offer sports betting services in Massachusetts. All of the mobile betting providers below were invited to speak on Thursday.
Massachusetts legalized sports betting on August 10. The MGC is in charge of creating the rules concerning sports gambling in Massachusetts. Up to 225 new rules will have to be enacted to regulate sportsbetting. Encore Boston Harbor, MGM Springfield, Plainridge Park Casino, Suffolk Downs and Raynham Park are the current licensees. They agree that retail sports Betting should be implemented in the state with a single launch date.
The law allows Massachusetts betting apps to serve those over 21 and physically present in the state.
The new law allows college wagering for in-state schools participating in tournaments with four or more teams.
DraftKings is expected to get a mobile license in Massachusetts. FanDuel, Caesars Sportsbook, and PointsBet are also expected. Four of the five states bordering Massachusetts have live and legal online sports betting.
Massachusetts Lottery celebrates its 50th anniversary this year. Gambling legislation in Massachusetts goes back to 1719. The first state lottery in the state was legalized in 1745. Parimutuel betting on horse and dog racing was legalised in 1934. Suffolk Downs was a mainstay on the national thoroughbred racing circuit until its final race in 2014. Greyhound tracks in Massachussetts included sites in Taunton/Raynham, Revere, and Plainfield. A 2009 law outlawed dog races in state. Plainridge Park Casino hosts a limited harness racing season.
