Massachusetts sportsbooks have been live for months now, but additional legal sports betting operators still have yet to enter the mix. There are seven (7) live now, but more will launch this summer and fall.
Fanatics Sportsbook Massachusetts is now one step closer to launching in the Commonwealth after Tuesday's public meeting No. 453 of the Massachusetts Gaming Commission (MGC).
The Commission approved by a unanimous 5-0 vote a certificate of operations for FBG Enterprises Opco, LLC., otherwise known as Fanatics Betting & Gaming. This was the final step necessary for Fanatics to go live and begin taking wagers within the state. However, no launch date has been announced yet.
When it does, Fanatics will become the eighth Category 3 mobile sports wagering operator to get complete approval to launch. The MGC said the newest Massachusetts sports betting app will likely begin operating at the end of May.
Two days ago, on the five-year anniversary of the Supreme Court overturning the Professional and Amateur Sports Protection Act (PASPA), Fanatics announced a deal to buy PointsBetUSA for a reported $150 million. PointsBetUSA had been given conditional approval to operate in the state but pulled out before paying the $1 million annual fee.
The MGC also approved updated house rules for newly launched Betr and FanDuel.
Betr launched on May 10, becoming the seventh online wagering operator, joining Caesars Sportsbook Massachusetts, BetMGM Sportsbook, WynnBET, FanDuel, DraftKings and Barstool Sports.
Bally Bet also has been approved but won't go live until sometime later this spring. Betway won't launch until the first quarter of 2024.
Online betting began in Massachusetts on March 10. Three retail books at MGM Springfield, Plainridge Park Casino, and Encore Boston Harbor began offering retail betting January 31.
Additional retail sportsbooks will open at later dates at Raynham Park and Suffolk Downs.
Slight Increases from April Monthly Figures
April official sports betting and casino figures were released by the MGC on Monday.
Total sports betting (retail, mobile) handle for the month generated more than $579 million, up about 2% from March's $568 million. Mobile sports betting launched March 10, so the March figures cover only 21 days. April was the first full month for mobile sports wagers in the state.
Massachusetts betting apps handled more than $566 million, up 3.3% from March ($548.1 million). The state’s retail sports wagering handle took a hit, coming in at more than $13.025 million, a solid 34.8% decrease from March ($19.988 million).
Stay close to BetMassachusetts.com for updates from the MGC, betting analysis and updates related to the state’s sports teams, and Massachusetts sportsbook promos.
