With a host of sports wagering providers fulfilling the first real prerequisite, the Massachusetts Gaming Commission (MGC) held its latest public meeting Thursday.
During another marathon discussion of six hours and 15 minutes, the MGC provided several updates to the Massachusetts sports betting process, including the introduction of Kevin Mullaly, the Gaming Labs International (GLI) senior vice president for government relations and general counsel. Mullaly is overseeing and helping with the state’s sports betting implementation.
GLI, based in Lakewood, N.J., will help set up infrastructure and confirm internal controls with licensees, as well as help with compliance, GeoComply issues, training of staff, etc.
A sports wagering license evaluation process discussion followed. The MGC looked at the following draft regulation — 205 CMR 218: General Sports Wagering Application Requirements, Standards and Procedures.
After an in-depth debate and discussion — noted mostly by Commissioner Nakisha Skinner’s displeasure at the “accelerated timeline” about holding Massachusetts sports betting apps providers to application deadlines — the MGC put off approving the regulations for the Administrative Completeness Review (281.03) pending additional legal clarity and Review Procedures (218.04).
MGC’s legal department will make necessary revisions to the general application requirements and will present for a vote, possibly next Thursday, Oct. 27, at 10 a.m.
Massachusetts made sports betting legal on Aug. 1. The state now prepares to launch through these MGC meetings.
Sports Wagering Scoping Surveys Sent to MGC
A required step before a sports wagering operator application being submitted for review is the submission of a Scoping Survey. All entities wishing to apply for a sports wagering operator license were required to submit a scoping survey by the end of business Oct. 17 for the MGC to begin reviewing those companies that plan to apply.
The MGC announced Wednesday it has received 29 operator Scoping Surveys from potential applicants for Category 1, 2 and 3 Sports Wagering Licenses.
Of the 29 submissions, three came from potential Category 1 License applicants, three from potential Category 2 License applicants and 23 came from potential Category 3 License applicants.
While the survey is a required part of its application, the non-refundable application processing fee of $200,000 is not due until full applications are submitted.
The survey sought specific company information and will help provide the Commission with valuable information ahead of application submissions and the applicant evaluation process.
Applicants for Sports Wagering Operator Licenses are required to submit a completed, general Sports Wagering Operator License Application by 2 p.m. Nov. 21.
BetMGM, Barstool Sportsbook and WynnBET all have current, existing partnerships with the state’s brick-and-mortar casinos and will receive a tethered online sports betting license.
During Thursday’s meeting, it was announced that 18 Scoping Surveys have been submitted by mobile sportsbooks wanting to operate in the Commonwealth without being affiliated with a land-based operator.
The entities that have submitted operator Scoping Surveys to the MGC are:
Category 1 Potential Applicant Submissions 
- Encore Boston Harbor
- MGM Springfield
- Plainridge Park Casino
Category 2 Potential Applicant Submissions 
- Commonwealth Equine & Agricultural Center/Great Meadowbrook Farm
- Raynham Park
- Suffolk Downs
Category 3 Potential Applicant Submissions 
- Bally Bet
- bet365 Massachusetts
- Betfred
- BetMGM Massachusetts
- Betr
- BetRivers
- Betway
- BuddyBet
- Caesars Sportsbook
- Clutchbet
- DraftKings Massachusetts
- Easywin
- Fanatics
- FanDuel Sportsbook
- Fanlogic
- MaximBet
- Mohegan Digital
- Novibet
- Penn Sports Interactive
- PointsBet
- Underdog Sports Wagering
- Unibet
- WynnBet
BetMassachusetts.com will be following the road to mobile sports betting every step of the way and will be a great source for Massachusetts betting promos.
