After last week’s marathon session of the Massachusetts Gaming Commission (MGC) public meeting #396, Thursday’s latest session was much tidier for the future of Massachusetts sports betting.
MGC Chairman Cathy Judd-Stein opened meeting #397 reiterating that the Scoping Survey (a critical first step due ahead of the application) for companies intending to apply for a Category 1, Category 2 or Category 3 sports wagering operator license is due back to the MGC by Monday, Oct. 17 at 5 p.m. ET.
The Scoping Survey document can be accessed by visiting MassGaming.com and is required as part of a sports wagering application.
A $200,000 application fee is associated with the survey.
MGC Executive Director Karen Wells said there were no public comments as of yet to review regarding the sports wagering application for operators like DraftKings Massachusetts.
The commission also provided an update on contractual services for sports wagering implementation, daily fantasy sports registration and tax filing forms, along with divisional updates.
Wells also stated the MGC has hired Lakewood (NJ)-based Gaming Laboratories International (GLI) to help with the state’s sports betting implementation. GLI will help set up infrastructure and confirm internal controls with licensees, as well as, help with compliance, GeoComply issues, training of staff with scope of knowledge, etc.
A preliminary discussion of the licensing evaluation process specific to sports wagering was also presented by MGC General Counsel Todd Grossman.
Last Week Revisited
The MGC last week voted on tentative starting dates, agreeing to start retail sports betting (Category 1) in January 2023 and mobile betting (Category 3) sometime in March.
They also agreed to a 15% tax rate for in-person on adjusted gross (AG) and 20% on digital.
In the early hours of Aug. 1, the state legislature passed laws to legalize retail and mobile sports betting, with Gov. Charlie Baker signing the bill into law Aug. 10.
As many as 30 Massachusetts sports betting apps could go live with temporary licenses come early March (right before March Madness, otherwise known as the NCAA Men’s College Basketball Tournament).
However, some of those would have to shut down within one (1) year, since only 15 permanent licenses eventually will be granted. Only seven of those will be “untethered’ licenses, since eight of the 15 will be tied to brick-and-mortar casinos. When everything launches, bettors should be able to take advantage of some great offers by using a BetMGM Massachusetts bonus.
All temporary licenses must pay an application fee of $1 million.
MGC public meeting #398 will be held Oct. 20 at 10 a.m.
BetMassachusetts.com will keep you posted on news on the way to the state’s start of sports betting. The site also is a good destination for the best Massachusetts sportsbook promos.
