Massachusetts Gaming Commission Executive Director Karen Wells announced plans Thursday for up to 11 digital sports betting platforms to launch in the state at 10 a.m. on March 10.
The date is a Friday two days before the NCAA Tournament’s Selection Sunday and in the heart of several major conference championships, including the ACC, Big 10, Big 12, Big East, and Pac-12.
The MGC previously issued initial approval to Bally Bet, Barstool Sportsbook, BetMGM, betr, Betway, Caesars Sportsbook, DraftKings, FanDuel, PointsBet, Fanatics, and WynnBet, which could all potentially start online operations in Massachusetts a month from now. Some were approved as standalone mobile platforms and others as platforms tethered to brick-and-mortar gaming operators. Wells said staff is aiming for Feb. 23 to finalize digital licenses.
Betway previously said it may not go live in March, as its acquisition by Super Group could slow its application approval process.
My experience with sports betting in Massachusetts: Magical and depressing all at once https://t.co/dceY8scJF6 via @BostonGlobe
— Dan Shaughnessy (@Dan_Shaughnessy) February 9, 2023
Betting offered on banned events?
Three retail sports betting locations at Encore Boston Harbor, MGM Springfield, and Plainridge Park Casino began in-person wagering on Jan. 31. In the first week of wagering, it appears that the sportsbooks at Encore and Plainridge Park offered wagering on banned events, which is under review by the MGC’s Investigations Enforcement Bureau.
At a meeting earlier this week, it was revealed that bets were placed at Plainridge Park Casino on a Merrimack College men’s basketball game and at Encore on a Boston College women’s basketball game. Betting on most collegiate events involving in-state teams is prohibited. In both cases, the violations were self-reported, and in both cases, it appears that the bets were available due to a data-input error on the sportsbooks’ or vendors’ parts.
During Thursday’s meeting, the sports betting menu was addressed, and it was clear that due to Massachusetts’ particular rules, operators will need to consult the menu regularly to make sure they are in compliance. In addition, the casino sportsbooks earlier this year submitted wish lists of events they wanted to be able to take bets on, but not all were included in the final menu.
The probes come only weeks after the launch of in-person sports betting in Massachusetts. https://t.co/R3jwifZgeB
— masslivenews (@masslivenews) February 9, 2023
The commission also had an extended discussion about a “cooling-off period” that will be part of the responsible gaming program. The cooling-off period would be an additional resource for bettors. Rather than sign up through the state for a one-year, three-year, five-year, or lifetime exclusion from betting, individuals would be able to pause their betting on a single platform or at a single location for a shorter amount of time. The cooling-off period would go into effect immediately.
The commission also discussed new advertising rules around problem gambling messaging. In January, it decided to grant a waiver to approved operators as it hammers out what the messages should say and how big the text should be, and it appears the rules might vary for different kinds of advertising.
