Twenty-Four Operators In the Running For MA Online Sports Betting Licenses

With the upcoming launch of Massachusetts sports betting in 2023, it comes as no surprise that leading market players, FanDuel and DraftKings, are among the operators competing for a license to provide online sports wagering in the state. The group of 24 companies contending for a license consists of both ambitious newcomers and well-established brands aiming to broaden their presence in different regions. Due to the limited availability of seven online sports betting licenses in Massachusetts, the competition within this group is intense.

The Market Leaders

In Massachusetts, both FanDuel and DraftKings are well-established with their daily fantasy sports (DFS) contests. However, in the realm of online sports betting, FanDuel holds the top spot nationally, commanding 38% market share, while DraftKings follows closely behind as the second leading contender.

Bettors in Massachusetts can anticipate finding these platforms among the state’s seven authorized online sports wagering operators, as they both provide mobile betting services in over twelve states. Moreover, these platforms have demonstrated their early entry into other states with active sports betting markets.

Experienced Players With A Smaller Market Share

Casino giants MGM Resorts International, Wynn Resorts, Bally’s, and Caesars Entertainment have successfully ventured into the realm of mobile sports betting. MGM and Wynn, who currently own two out of the three casinos in Massachusetts (MGM Springfield and Encore Boston Harbor), have a track record of gaining approval for mobile wagering in other states. Consequently, it is highly probable that they will be authorized to launch their respective apps, BetMGM and WynnBET, in Massachusetts.

Bally Bet and Caesars Sportsbook, two prominent sportsbooks affiliated with major casino enterprises, have also submitted applications for a mobile sports betting license in Massachusetts.

Additionally, take a look at: The Impact of Licensed Sportsbooks on the Decline of Illegal Sports Betting.

Operators Looking to Expand

The companies that are still interested in expanding their mobile betting operations and entering the Massachusetts market are primarily those that originated as retail sportsbooks in other parts of the US or abroad.

In 2019, BetRivers initiated its mobile betting services after establishing a casino in Philadelphia. The US market is witnessing a swift expansion of numerous gambling companies that originated overseas. Among the companies interested in entering Massachusetts are:

• Bet365 (UK)
• Betfred (UK)
• Betway (Malta)
• Buddybet (Australia)
• Clutchbet (Australia)
• Easywin (Nigeria)
• Novibet (Malta)
• PointsBet (Australia)
• Unibet (Malta)

After years of legal battles, the tribal casino projects in Massachusetts are still stuck in a state of uncertainty.

The Newcomers

Over the past year or so, a variety of new players have emerged in the field of online sports betting and are seeking a license in Massachusetts. Some of them have already established their presence in other states, while others are still in the process of planning or preparing for their launch.

Jake Paul, a well-known influencer on social media, alongside a team of prominent celebrities, is set to introduce Betr, a microbetting application designed for making wagers on specific instances within sports events.

Underdog, the operator of fantasy sports contests, is currently expanding its offerings to include sports betting.

Maxim, the renowned men’s lifestyle magazine, has recently formed a partnership to introduce MaximBet, a sports betting app that is now accessible in the states of Colorado and Indiana.

Among the applicants in Massachusetts, there are two ventures that are owned by Native Americans: Mohegan Digital and Seminole Hard Rock Casino.

Mohegan Digital and the Mohegan Sun Casino in Uncasville, Conn., along with various other casino properties in the US and Canada, are owned by the Mohegan Tribe in Connecticut. In the past, the tribe had intentions to establish a casino in Palmer, Mass., however, the proposal was rejected by residents in 2014.

In late 2021, Seminole Hard Rock Digital, a collaboration between Hard Rock and the Seminole Tribe of Florida, briefly introduced a sports betting app in Florida. Unfortunately, the app was terminated before the year’s end due to multiple lawsuits concerning sports wagering in the state.

What The Future Holds For All Applicants

The Massachusetts Gaming Commission has set specific deadlines for all applicants seeking a sports wagering license in the state, whether for retail or online purposes. The first deadline was October 17, by which all applicants were required to submit a survey mandated by the commission. The subsequent deadline is November 21, by which applicants must submit a fully completed application along with a processing fee of $200,000.

At present, the state aims to introduce online sports betting in February or March, while retail sportsbooks are set to open earlier, allowing enthusiasts to place bets on the Super Bowl.