Bally’s Eyeing Q2 2024 Massachusetts Sports Betting Launch

• Bally’s is eyeing a potential Q2 2024 Massachusetts online sports betting launch
• The operator received a temporary category 3 sports betting license in January 2023 but never launched
• Bally’s re-upped its temporary license earlier this year for $1 million

Bally’s still has an interest in Massachusetts sports betting and may make it a reality later this year.

According to Bruce Band, director of sports betting for the Massachusetts Gaming Commission, Bally’s is eyeing an online sports betting launch in the state by the tail end of the second quarter of 2024.

Bally’s received its initial category 3 sports betting license from the commission in January 2023, but never launched. It re-upped its temporary license with the commission earlier this year for a $1 million renewal fee.

Let’s Get the Show on the Road

In January 2024, Bally’s paid another $1 million to the state to re-up its temporary category 3 untethered sports betting license for the year. When they applied for the license, company representatives noted they would first focus on launching  iGaming in Rhode Island before they turned their attention back to Massachusetts.

Rhode Island iGaming launched earlier this month.

Band reached out to the company last week and inquired as to their plans for Massachusetts. A representative told Band the company was hoping to launch online sports betting in Massachusetts before the end of the second quarter of 2024.

Despite their intentions, Band noted the company has yet to go through the final launch process. Bally Bet, the company’s sportsbook app, will have to receive its  final internal controls approval, must undergo an equipment inspection, and will have to go through several final regulatory hurdles before being able to launch in Massachusetts.

“They haven’t submitted anything at this point,” Band said.

Massachusetts Gaming Commissioner Brad Hill said the state needs to move forward with this license and require that Bally’s appear before the commission to give an official update to their launch plans.

“I think we’re at a point now where we need to move forward here.”

MGC Chair Cathy Judd Stein’s Final Meeting

The Massachusetts Gaming Commission today honored Chairwoman Cathy Judd-Stein as the longtime committee member participated in what is expected to be her final public meeting. Judd-Stein will retire from the commission next week on March 21 at the conclusion of her five-year term.

Judd-Stein served as the chair of the MGC since January 2019. Prior to her MGC role, she served the state as part of five successive gubernatorial administrations, most recently as Deputy Chief Legal Counsel for the Office of the Governor.

“For over five years I’ve had the honor of working with all of you and many other talented and committed individuals that have since moved on to different, new and exciting opportunities. For me, public service has offered the rewarding opportunity to influence policy where key public and private interests intersect. My appointment to serve the MGC has been such a privilege as we’ve championed transformation policies on behalf of all Massachusetts residents, advancing a safe and sustainable gaming landscape,” she said at the meeting.