WynnBET Becomes First Online Sports Betting Operator To Receive Massachusetts License

Sports betting is getting closer to launching in Massachusetts. WynnBET became the first company to receive an MA online sports betting license on Dec. 13 after unanimous approval from Massachusetts Gaming Commission (MGC) members. The vote came five days after commissioners approved a retail sports wagering license to Encore Boston Harbor, a Wynn Resorts-operated casino.

MGC Conditions Set For WynnBET

WynnBET is a Category 3 operator, a designation for online betting entities, and its license is tethered to its Massachusetts casino partner Encore Boston, a Category 1 operator. 

The commission approved WynnBET’s application with the following terms:

“Commissioners put conditions on the awarding of this license, including WynnBET providing the MGC with information on the company’s current vendor diversity statistics and establishing goals on diversity spend in advance of operating sports wagering in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts.”

In addition, WynnBET must obtain a certificate of operations and meet other conditions before it can accept bets.

Related news: What To Expect From WynnBET When It Launches In Massachusetts

The Rest Of The Applicant Field

Encore Boston Harbor plans to have two mobile betting partners, WynnBET and Caesars Sportsbook. The MGC is holding public meetings to discuss and approve other Category 3 applications until Tuesday, Dec. 20. Approval for the Caesars Sportsbook is expected before the end of the year.

The state’s other two casinos, MGM Springfield, and Plainridge Park Casino, are still awaiting approval of their retail sportsbook licenses and those of their Category 3 partners. MGM Springfield is partnering with BetMGM, and PPC’s partners are Penn Sports Interactive (Barstool Sports) and Fanatics Sportsbook. Fanatics has yet to launch its sportsbook app for customers.

The remaining Category 3 applicants still in line for a Massachusetts sports betting license include:

• bet365 (partnered with simulcast center Raynham Park, a Category 2 operator)
• Bally Bet
• Betr
• Betway (DGC USA)
• DraftKings
• FanDuel
• PointsBet

The MGC’s timeline for the official launch Massachusetts sports betting is late January for retail sportsbooks, and late February or early March for mobile operators. 

Also read: Encore Boston Harbor Earns State’s First Retail Sports Betting License