BetFanatics CEO of Betting and Gaming Matt King on Wednesday told the Massachusetts Gaming Commission that his company has plans to go live with its much-anticipated sports wagering platform in the first quarter of 2023 and to be available throughout legal markets by September. King shared the information as part of a presentation his company is giving the MGC to get initial approval.
King showed a slide that included go-live plans for his company’s platform and noted the plan is to launch in Massachusetts in early March, in line with when the MGC is planning its universal launch of digital platforms.
The question that remains now is whether BetFanatics will make its debut in Maryland, Massachusetts, or Ohio. BetFanatics is already initially approved in Maryland and Ohio, and could theoretically launch as soon it gets final approvals in either state. The Ohio Casino Control Commission launched wagering Sunday, and BetFanatics had previously said it would not go on that date.
In Maryland, BetFanatics has a partnership with the NFL’s Washington Commanders and FedEx Field. It has plans for a retail location and a digital platform. In Massachusetts, BetFanatics would be tethered to PENN Entertainment’s Plainridge Park, which got initial approval late last year. In Ohio, it would be tethered to the NHL’s Columbus Blue Jackets. It does not have plans for a retail location in Massachusetts, but does have plans for two brick-and-mortars in Ohio, one each through the Blue Jackets and MLB’s Cleveland Guardians.
Fanatics building wagering staff
All eyes have been on BetFanatics since it became clear in 2021 that it would enter the sports betting market. Since then, the company joined the failed California initiative attempt to legalize sports betting, CEO Michael Rubin sold his interests in the NHL’s Devils and NBA’s 76ers, and Rubin has been hinting that launch is imminent for months.
In September, Rubin pointed to a January launch, which would take Massachusetts out of the running to be the first BetFanatics state, but a BetFanatics spokesperson on Wednesday told Sports Handle the company has no comment on where the first launch will be.
King, former CEO at FanDuel, joined Fanatics in June 2021, and since then, the company has been building out its wagering staff, adding other former FanDuel employees and former Michigan lawmaker Brandt Iden, who left his position as head of government affairs at SportRadar to join Fanatics in the same role in November.
