Fanatics Sportsbook, Bally Bet Set For Massachusetts Launch In May

Written By Dan Holmes on February 23, 2023 – Last Updated on February 27, 2023

Fanatics Sportsbook, Bally Bet will launch in Massachusetts in May, from play-ma.com

Fanatics Sportsbook and Bally Bet intend to launch in Massachusetts in May, according to a meeting of the Massachusetts Gaming Commission on Thursday. Other sports betting operators will debut in March, according to plan.

The MGC finalized temporary sports wagering licenses for nine operators, including Bally’s Interactive and SBG Enterprise, doing business as Fanatics. Other temporary licenses were granted to Caesars Sportsbook, BetMGM, FanDuel, DraftKings, WynnBET, Barstool Sports and Betr.

This means Fanatics and Bally Bet will be among those sports betting apps available in the state when the market opens later this year, but not at the same time as their competitors.

There were 11 applicants for a Category 3 Massachusetts sports betting license, according to MGC Executive Director Karen Wells. Only nine of them have paid the $1 million application fee, though.

PointsBet was one of the two that didn’t, backing out of Massachusetts at the last minute. The other applicant was Betway, which has chosen to wait until 2024 to launch due to being purchased by another company. A representative explained during the meeting that Betway will not request the license at this time. It will, however, pay the $1 million app fee and enter the market next year.

More info on Fanatics Sportsbook, Bally Bet

Massachusetts would be the first state for Fanatics Sportsbook. It would mark a new product category for the company known for sports apparel and merchandising. Last October, company CEO Michael Rubin indicated Fanatics would unveil its sportsbook app in multiple states in 2023. It also has licenses in Ohio and Maryland, and a retail sportsbook at FedEx Field in Maryland. However, it has not launched sportsbook apps in either of those states yet.

Bally Bet is available in six states: Arizona, Colorado, Indiana, Iowa, New York and Virginia. Bally’s Interactive owns Bally Bet. It is among the many gaming entities it operates, along with more than a dozen casinos and resorts.