• About Us / Contact
  • Responsible Gambling
This site contains commercial content
SportsHandle
  • US Sports Betting
    • Arizona
    • Arkansas
    • Colorado
    • Connecticut
    • Delaware
    • Illinois
    • Indiana
    • Iowa
    • Kansas
    • Louisiana
    • Maine
    • Maryland
    • Massachusetts
    • Michigan
    • Mississippi
    • New Jersey
    • New Mexico
    • New York
    • Ohio
    • Oregon
    • Pennsylvania
    • Tennessee
    • Virginia
    • West Virginia
    • Wyoming
  • Pending States
    • California
    • Florida
    • Georgia
    • Missouri
    • North Carolina
  • Canada
    • Ontario
    • British Columbia
    • Alberta
  • Sportsbook Apps
    • FanDuel
    • BetMGM
    • Caesars
    • PointsBet
    • BetRivers
  • Tools
    • Sportsbook Bonuses Explained
    • Sports Betting Revenue Tracker
    • Sports Betting Podcasts
    • Partnership Tracker
    • Expected Value
    • Sports Scores And Odds Apps
    • Sports Betting Twitter
    • Guide To ‘Risk-Free’ Bets
  • News
No Result
View All Result
SportsHandle
  • US Sports Betting
    • Arizona
    • Arkansas
    • Colorado
    • Connecticut
    • Delaware
    • Illinois
    • Indiana
    • Iowa
    • Kansas
    • Louisiana
    • Maine
    • Maryland
    • Massachusetts
    • Michigan
    • Mississippi
    • New Jersey
    • New Mexico
    • New York
    • Ohio
    • Oregon
    • Pennsylvania
    • Tennessee
    • Virginia
    • West Virginia
    • Wyoming
  • Pending States
    • California
    • Florida
    • Georgia
    • Missouri
    • North Carolina
  • Canada
    • Ontario
    • British Columbia
    • Alberta
  • Sportsbook Apps
    • FanDuel
    • BetMGM
    • Caesars
    • PointsBet
    • BetRivers
  • Tools
    • Sportsbook Bonuses Explained
    • Sports Betting Revenue Tracker
    • Sports Betting Podcasts
    • Partnership Tracker
    • Expected Value
    • Sports Scores And Odds Apps
    • Sports Betting Twitter
    • Guide To ‘Risk-Free’ Bets
  • News
No Result
View All Result
SportsHandle
No Result
View All Result

Six Digital Operators Granted Temporary Sports Betting Licenses In Massachusetts

Heavyweights FanDuel and DraftKings among operators receiving standalone licensing approval

Matt Rybaltowski by Matt Rybaltowski
January 19, 2023
in Regulation
Brian Fluharty/USA TODAY

Brian Fluharty/USA TODAY

Share on FacebookShare on Twitter

The Massachusetts Gaming Commission issued temporary sports wagering operator licenses to six standalone digital wagering applicants on Thursday, paving the way for the launch of mobile sports betting in March ahead of the NCAA Tournament.

The MGC approved temporary licenses for Bally Bet, Betr, Betway, DraftKings, FanDuel, and PointsBet, which all gave detailed presentations to the commission this month. The commissioners’ votes were unanimous except in the case of Betr, a sports betting newcomer that touts its innovative microbetting platform. MGC Commissioner Eileen O’Brien voted against Betr while commenting that co-founder Jake Paul’s celebrity status could increase problem gambling among younger sports bettors.

The MGC announced last month that it intends to go live with mobile sports wagering in March. It has targeted Jan. 31 for the launch of retail sports betting, giving brick-and-mortar sportsbooks a head start over their digital counterparts.

Prior to Thursday’s meeting, five other online sportsbooks — Barstool Sportsbook (Plainridge Park), BetMGM (MGM Springfield), Caesars Sportsbook (Encore Boston Harbor), Fanatics (Plainridge Park), and WynnBET (Encore Boston Harbor) – received initial approval from the MGC. Those five sportsbook operators are tethered to existing wagering facilities in Massachusetts.

Sports betting in Massachusetts on track to start in two weeks https://t.co/ItsdvQJF71

— Boston 25 News (@boston25) January 18, 2023

The MGC weighed a number of factors in the approval process, most notably the economic benefits the applicants could bring to the state if granted a temporary license. Other factors included each applicant’s proposed measures to promote responsible gambling, their willingness to foster ethnic and gender diversity, the technology to be used in operations, and the suitability of each applicant.

“I see this collective pool each bringing to the table enough uniqueness to bring innovation, to keep things fresh, and to offer new products that players are going to want,” MGC Chair Cathy Judd-Stein said.

Checking the boxes

During a lengthy review process, the MGC analyzed whether the untethered digital wagering operators will bring innovation and player choice to the market. The commission received input from RSM US LLP, a leading auditing network that provided a high-level overview of the applicants’ projected revenue in Massachusetts, selected operating metrics, and the liquidity positions of supporting parent companies. Ultimately, the MGC judged whether the applicants will bring substantial benefits to the market that outweigh any potential deficiencies.

While RSM cited third-party data from several Wall Street analysts, Deutsche Bank projects that the state will generate gross gaming revenue of $306.6 million from sports betting in 2023. By 2027, Deutsche Bank estimates the figure to rise to $408.8 million, while Truist has a more bullish projection. Truist anticipates that by then, the market will produce annual GGR of up to $639 million, an assumption that supports a relatively high compound annual growth rate each year.

MGC Commissioner Jordan Maynard commented that he reviewed reports from the MGC’s Investigations and Enforcement Bureau thoroughly before Thursday’s vote. When it came to findings of preliminary suitability, Maynard indicated that he did not see anything glaring from the six applicants that should result in denial of a temporary license.

Maynard also lauded Betr for its interest in partnering with the Massachusetts Lottery on potential promotions. In its application to the MGC, Betr indicated that it is contemplating a cross-promotion where it would reward customers with free bets through its sports betting app when they show proof of purchase of a Massachusetts Lottery ticket.

Betr co-founder Paul, a celebrity boxer and YouTube influencer, defended his reputation during a contentious MGC meeting last week. Betr has pledged that it will not offer wagering on events in which Paul competes. Several MGC commissioners are in favor of a broader standard that would prohibit Betr from offering lines on events that Paul promotes. Each applicant is still to undergo a strict background check before the MGC grants an operator full licensure.

The MGC also spent a considerable amount of time Thursday discussing Betway’s launch in the Bay State. Last week, Betway made clear that it will not be ready to go live in Massachusetts by the universal launch date. The commission contemplated attaching a condition that may require the operator to launch within a certain time frame. MGC General Counsel Todd Grossman emphasized that a temporary license is not a mandate to begin operations, likening the situation to a driver who receives a license but leaves his car in a garage.

In Massachusetts, Betway gets praise from state regulator, but its acquisition by Super Group will slow the approval process.https://t.co/sJJOm0a8yB

— Sports Handle (@sports_handle) January 13, 2023

When it comes to transferability issues, Grossman explained that any licensee will be subject to an extensive suitability review if Betway attempts to hand over the license. One concern relates to the residual effects of how the market will respond if a sportsbook operator is forced to cease operations. The issue has become more acute over the last 12 months after mid-sized operators such as Fubo Sportsbook and MaximBet shuttered their respective sports betting divisions in other states.

With risk factors for compulsive gambling an issue, MGC Commissioner Bradford Hill underscored the importance of responsible gambling throughout the process and stated that all six applicants articulated robust plans tied to it. The MGC has heard from researchers with the University of Massachusetts at Amherst School of Public Health and Health Sciences on the impact of sports betting on problem gaming. The research team associated with the Social and Economic Impacts of Gambling in Massachusetts (SEIGMA) project is widely regarded as one of the leading problem gambling research groups nationwide.

College carve-out

When Massachusetts legislators passed the law legalizing sports betting last summer, they included a carve-out prohibiting most wagers on in-state college teams. There is an exception for tournaments involving four teams or more.

The exception covers wagers on college football’s national championship playoffs and March Madness in basketball, which typically attracts more betting than any other sporting event.

ShareTweetShare
Matt Rybaltowski

Matt Rybaltowski

Matt is a veteran writer with a specific focus on the emerging sports gambling market. During Matt's two decade career in journalism, he has written for the New York Times, Forbes, The Guardian, Reuters and CBSSports.com among others. In his spare time, Matt is an avid reader, a weekend tennis player and a frequent embarrassment to the sport of running. Contact Matt at matt@usbets.com.

Related Posts

exterior-long-view-encore-boston-building
Regulation

Font Size Rules For RG Messaging Nearly Create Major Problems In Massachusetts

January 27, 2023
Shutterstock
Industry

Missouri Legislators Lament Exodus Of Bettors To Neighboring States

January 27, 2023
Load More

Top Stories

patrick mahomes

Mahomes’ Ankle Speculation Twists Line Movement In Chiefs-Bengals Rematch

January 27, 2023
fanatics-grand-opening

Fanatics Sportsbook At FedEx Field Offers Unique Retail Option In Maryland

January 23, 2023
Shutterstock

Missouri Legislators Lament Exodus Of Bettors To Neighboring States

January 27, 2023
rob gronkowski adam vinatieri

Rob Gronkowski Goes Training Montage Route In Latest FanDuel Spot

January 17, 2023

State Sports Betting Guides

Ohio (U.S. state) flag waving against clear blue sky, close up, isolated with clipping path mask alpha channel transparency, perfect for film, news, composition

Ohio Sports Betting – Where To Play, Bonus Offers And Promo Codes

by Brian Pempus
January 25, 2023

Downtown Detroit at twilight (Shutterstock)

Michigan Sports Betting – Where To Play, Online Sportsbooks, And FAQ

by Brett Smiley
January 27, 2023

VA captial

Virginia Sports Betting – Where To Play, Online Sportsbooks And Bonus Offers

by Brett Smiley
January 17, 2023

nj flag

New Jersey Sports Betting — Where To Play, Online Sportsbooks, And FAQ

by Brett Smiley
October 20, 2022

pa online sportsbooks

Pennsylvania Sports Betting – Where To Play, Online Sportsbooks And Bonuses

by Brett Smiley
October 6, 2022

Canada Sports Betting Guides

Canada Sports Betting – Best Sportsbook Apps & Bonus Offers

British Columbia Sports Betting – Legal Update, Available Sportsbooks, and FAQ

Ontario Sports Betting – Legal Status And Where To Play

gambling therapy
ncpg
igaming ontario
If you or someone you know has a gambling problem, crisis counseling and referral services can be accessed by calling 1-800-GAMBLER (1-800-426-2537) (IL). Gambling problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER (MI/NJ/OH/PA/WV), 1-800-9-WITH-IT (IN), 1-800-522-4700 (CO), 1-800-BETS OFF (IA), 1-888-532-3500 (VA) or call/text TN REDLINE 1-800-889-9789 (TN).
19+. Please play responsibly. Terms and conditions apply. 
Individuals must be 19 years of age or older to participate in igaming in Ontario. Gambling can be addictive, please play responsibly. If you, or someone you know, has a gambling problem in Ontario and wants help, please visit ConnexOntario or call their helpline at 1-866-531-2600. Operators on this website operate pursuant to an Operating Agreement with iGaming Ontario.

Search Sports Handle

No Result
View All Result
  • About Us / Contact
  • Responsible Gambling

No Result
View All Result
  • US Sports Betting
    • Arizona
    • Arkansas
    • Colorado
    • Connecticut
    • Delaware
    • Illinois
    • Indiana
    • Iowa
    • Kansas
    • Louisiana
    • Maine
    • Maryland
    • Massachusetts
    • Michigan
    • Mississippi
    • New Jersey
    • New Mexico
    • New York
    • Ohio
    • Oregon
    • Pennsylvania
    • Tennessee
    • Virginia
    • West Virginia
    • Wyoming
  • Pending States
    • California
    • Florida
    • Georgia
    • Missouri
    • North Carolina
  • Canada
    • Ontario
    • British Columbia
    • Alberta
  • Sportsbook Apps
    • FanDuel
    • BetMGM
    • Caesars
    • PointsBet
    • BetRivers
  • Tools
    • Sportsbook Bonuses Explained
    • Sports Betting Revenue Tracker
    • Sports Betting Podcasts
    • Partnership Tracker
    • Expected Value
    • Sports Scores And Odds Apps
    • Sports Betting Twitter
    • Guide To ‘Risk-Free’ Bets
  • News

loading

Please wait while you are redirected to the right page...

Please share your location to continue.

Check our help guide for more info.

share your location