Fanatics Sportsbook Launches in Massachusetts in Time for Celtics’ Game 5

• Fanatics Sportsbook is now live in Massachusetts
• The eighth live online sportsbook in the Commonwealth received its certificate of operations last week
• The sportsbook is only available to Fanatics customers

Just in time for the Boston Celtics matchup against the Miami Heat in game 5 of the Eastern Conference finals, Fanatics Betting and Gaming announced today that Fanatics Sportsbook is now live in the Commonwealth.

Fanatics Sportsbook is now the eighth live Massachusetts sports betting app. The newest sportsbook will only be accessible to existing Fanatics customers in the merchandise and apparel company’s expansive customer database.

Existing Fanatics customers eligible for the sportsbook will receive an email with an access code link.

Fanatics Eighth Live Online Sportsbook in Massachusetts

The Massachusetts Gaming Commission (MGC) unanimously approved the company’s certificate of operations on May 16. The operator passed all inspections and the MGC’s sports wagering division recommended the approval of the certificate.

Bruce Band, Director of Sports Betting for the MGC, said Fanatics Betting and Gaming indicated it would “begin operations by the end of the month.”

The approval came just days after Fanatics announced a $150 million purchase of Australian-based PointsBet’s U.S. assets.

Fanatics’ online sports betting license is tethered to Plainridge Park Casino. The MGC awarded the Category 3 online sports betting license to Fanatics Betting and Gaming back in January.

The sportsbook has been beta-tested in both Tennessee and Ohio. Fanatics Betting and Gaming will take the same path in Massachusetts, only offering the Fanatics Sportsbook at first to Fanatics customers.

In late April, the Massachusetts Gaming Commission unanimously approved the Fanatics Sportsbook house rules and operations by a vote of 5-0.

Fanatics is currently live in one state, Maryland, through a brick-and-mortar sportsbook at FedExField, home of the NFL’s Washington Commanders.

Approval on Heels of PointsBet Acquisition

It’s been an exciting several weeks for Fanatics Betting and Gaming, as the sportsbook launch in the state comes on the heels of a $150 million deal to acquire PointsBet’s U.S. assets.

PointsBet will retain its proprietary iGaming, sports betting, and racing platform in the deal.

“Fanatics and PointsBet are excited to enter into an agreement for Fanatics Betting and Gaming to acquire PointsBet’s U.S. business. While there are still several steps in the process to complete the acquisition, both parties are confident in the outcome. Fanatics Betting and Gaming and PointsBet will provide further details of the proposed deal and timely updates in the coming week,” the companies announced in a joint statement Sunday night.

The timeline for the full acquisition extends into 2024.

The proposed transaction will be divided into two stages. The initial completion is expected to happen by Aug. 31, 2023, with Fanatics Betting and Gaming acquiring the entities that own and operate PointsBets business in at least three states. PointsBet will hand over access to three more states on a rolling basis until all U.S. entities are acquired by Fanatics Betting and Gaming by May 2024 at the latest.

PointsBet has U.S. market access in 14 states, including New York, New Jersey, Michigan, and Pennsylvania. Fanatics Betting and Gaming is currently operational in Ohio and Tennessee.

Through the deal, PointsBet will be able to keep its Australian and Canadian based assets.