The Massachusetts Gaming Commission (MGC) has awarded its first Category 1 sports betting license, to Wynn Resorts’ Encore Boston Harbor.
However, before it can start offering sports betting at its land-based casino, Encore must still obtain a certificate of operations and meet certain other requirements.
Additionally, Encore plans to offer sports betting online through partnerships with WynnBet and Caesars Sportsbook. Before these can launch, the platforms will require Category 3 licenses – none of which have yet been issued by the MGC.
In total, the MGC says it received applications for three Category 1 licenses, five Category 3 tethered to Category 1 licenses, and six Category 3 licenses before the deadline expired on November 21, 2022. A Category 3 license attached to a Category 2 license (horse tracks and simulcast facilities only) application was also submitted – although applications for this combination will still be accepted at later dates.
According to the commission, all three Massachusetts casinos eligible for Category 1 licenses should be able to offer sports betting by January 2023. In addition to Encore Boston Harbor, the other two casinos are MGM Springfield, and Plainridge Park Casino.
Like Encore, Plainridge also plans on operating two online platforms, this time in partnership with Sports Interactive and Fanatics Sportsbook. Meanwhile, MGM Springfield will launch an online sportsbook in partnership with BetMGM.
The operators that have applied for standalone Category 3 online licenses are Bally Bet, Betr, Betway, DraftKings, FanDuel Group, and PointsBet.