Massachusetts Gaming Commission Approves Nine Temporary Category 3 Sports Wagering Operator Licenses

Following the January 31, 2023 launch of retail sports wagering in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts at the properties of the three Category 1 sports wagering licensees, the Massachusetts Gaming Commission (MGC) set March 10, 2023 as the allowable launch date for Category 3 sports wagering licensees.

During a public meeting last week, Commissioners approved temporary licenses for nine Category 3 operators. Those operators are BallyBet, Barsool Sportsbook (Penn Sports Interactive), BetMGM, Betr, Caesars Sportsbook, DraftKings, Fanatics, FanDuel, and WynnBET.

BallyBet and Fanatics informed the MGC that they will not launch on the allowable launch date of March 10, but both plan to launch in May 2023.

Digital Gaming Corp (Betway) has not yet, but indicated to the MGC that they will soon submit a request for a temporary license as well as the $1 million licensing fee. However, they will not be launching in the Commonwealth for approximately one year.

Another Category 3 applicant, Pointsbet, informed the MGC ahead of the February 23 public meeting that they will be withdrawing their application.

Retail sports wagering in the Commonwealth launched within six months from when former Governor Charlie Baker signed the sports wagering bill into law on August 10, 2022. Online/mobile sports wagering will launch on March 10, 2023, exactly seven months from the day the bill was signed.