It finally is here. Mobile Massachusetts sports betting launched successfully on Friday, March 10.
Retail wagering got the state going on Jan. 31.
Let’s take a look back at the key dates during the Massachusetts Gaming Commission (MGC) process that led us up to Friday's launch for six Massachusetts sport betting apps in the Commonwealth:
2023
March 10: Mobile sportsbooks launch!
March 8: Betr announces it will not launch March 10. Plans to do so later in month.
March 2: MGC votes in favor of two waivers that will allow third-party affiliates and sportsbooks to enter into marketing agreements based on a “Cost Per Acquisition” and/or revenue-sharing model
Feb. 23: PointsBet bows out as sportsbook operator in Massachusetts
Feb. 15: Official figures from retail sportsbook launch on Jan. 31 released
Feb. 9: MGC announces March 10 as official mobile launch date
Jan. 31: Retail launch day at 10 a.m. Speaker of the House Ronald Mariano gives his impressions.
Jan. 30: Certificate of Operations completed at noon for each of the three retail sportsbooks.
Jan. 29: NFL’s NFC/AFC Championship Games
Jan. 25: MGM Springfield (BetMGM Massachusetts), Encore Boston Harbor announce Opening Day plans
Jan. 24: MGC approves bets, events and markets menu for Massachusetts sports betting; Plainridge Park Casino announces Opening Day plans with former New England Patriots outside linebacker Rob Ninkovich to make the first wager on property.
Jan. 23: Caesars Entertainment announces plans to build a retail Caesars Sportsbook Massachusetts at Raynham Park.
Jan. 20: MGC announces 10 a.m. start time to go live on Jan. 31 for three retail sportsbooks
Jan. 19: All six untethered Category 3 (online) sportsbook license applications approved for BallyBet, betr, Betway, DraftKings Massachusetts, FanDuel and PointsBetUSA.
Jan. 17: PointsBet USA meets criteria for an untethered Category 3 (online) Sports Wagering Operator License
Jan. 13: Betway Massachusetts meets criteria for an untethered Category 3 (online) Sports Wagering Operator License.
Jan. 12: Fanatics Betting & Gaming approved for a temporary Category 3 (online) Sports Wagering Operator License.
Jan. 11: DraftKings Sportsbook approval
Jan. 10: betr approval
Jan. 9: FanDuel Sportsbook MA approval
Jan. 6: BallySports approval
Jan. 4: Barstool Sportsbook Massachusetts approved for a temporary Category 3 (online) Sports Wagering Operator License.
2022
Dec. 22: MGC sets date of Tuesday, Jan. 31 for retail sports betting to launch. Mobile/online sports betting looks to have a launch date before the NCAA Men’s College Basketball Tournament in mid-March, but no date/time has been determined.
Dec. 21: Barstool Sports, BetMGM, Caesars Sportsbook are among the latest to get MGC retail approval.
Dec. 20: Plainridge Park Casino found preliminarily suitable for temporary Category 1 Sports Wagering Operator License; Caesars Sportsbook found suitable for temporary Category 3 Sports Wagering Operator License
Dec. 19: BetMGM found suitable for temporary Category 3 Sports Wagering Operator License; MGM Springfield awarded Category 1 Sports Wagering Operator License.
Dec. 13: WynnBet awarded Category 3 Sports Wagering Operator License.
Dec. 8: Encore Boston Harbor in Everett awarded Category 1 Sports Wagering Operator License.
Nov. 22: Fifteen sports wagering operator applications were submitted to the Massachusetts Gaming Commission (MGC). Three applications were received for Category 1 licenses, five for a Category 3 license tethered to a Category 1 license and six for stand-alone Category 3.
Oct. 19: Twenty-nine sports betting operators submit scoping surveys to the MGC, but just 23 will be eligible for an online betting license.
Oct. 6: Fears the state might miss out on Super Bowl betting at online sportsbooks as the Massachusetts Gaming Commission meets to try to map out a timeline.
Sept. 22: MGC holds roundtable focused on online operators with invited guests from companies that submitted Notice of Intent.
Sept. 15: Temporary License provision issue discussed by MGC.
Sept. 13: MGC holds roundtable focused on responsible gaming in sports wagering.
Sept. 8: MGC holds first public meeting on sports wagering.
Aug. 31: Notice of Intent due to MGC
Aug. 18: MGC holds roundtable for current licensees
Aug. 17: Massachusetts Gaming Commission (MGC) releases Notice of Intent
Aug. 10: Gov. Baker signs sports betting bill into law
Aug. 1: The Sports Betting Conference Committee, consisting of senators and representatives, votes 36-4 in favor of the compromise bill. It heads to Gov. Charlie Baker to be signed into law.
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