PointsBet Out, Nine Operators in for Massachusetts Online Sports Betting Licenses

• In a surprise move, PointsBet withdrew its application for an untethered online sports betting license in Massachusetts
• The Massachusetts Gaming Commission approved temporary online sports betting licenses for nine operators
• Fanatics and BallyBet will not be ready to go for March launch

PointsBet is no longer seeking an untethered Massachusetts online sports betting license, as the operator officially withdrew its application from the Massachusetts Gaming Commission.

Massachusetts Gaming Commission Executive Director Karen Wells informed the MGC of the operator’s action during today’s commission meeting.

Two Untethered Licenses Now Available

With PointsBet’s withdrawal, only Bally’s, Betr, Betway, DraftKings, and FanDuel remain as approved untethered online sports betting license holders. The commonwealth allows for up to seven untethered licenses, so two licenses are now open for potential operators.

The Massachusetts Gaming Commission approved temporary online sports betting licenses for nine other Massachusetts sports betting apps this morning. The operators receiving temporary one-year online sports betting licenses are:

• FanDuel MA
• DraftKings MA
• BetMGM MA
• WynnBET MA
• Caesars Sportsbook MA
• Barstool Sportsbook MA
• Betr
• Fanatics
• BallyBet

PointsBet met all criteria for an untethered Category 3 online sports betting license and was approved by the MGC for a temporary license in January.

Of these nine operators, only Caesars Sportsbook, BetMGM, DraftKings, FanDuel, Betr, WynnBet, and Barstool Sportsbook will be ready to launch for the March 10 online sports betting kickoff in the commonwealth. Fanatics Sportsbook and BallyBet both reported they will be ready to launch in May.

Betway has not yet been approved for a temporary Category 3 online sports betting license, as it has not paid its $1 million licensing fee. The operator is expected to receive final temporary licensure next week. However, during its initial licensing hearing, representatives for the operator said it will not be ready to launch in March.

Illegal Bets Accepted by MGM Springfield

The MGC also received details on illegal bets accepted by MGM Springfield on two separate Harvard men’s basketball games in early February.

On Feb. 3, the casino accepted bets on the Harvard vs. Yale matchup for 21 hours and $1,150 in bets were accepted. On Feb. 4, the casino accepted bets on the Harvard vs. Brown matchup for 20 hours and $80 in bets were accepted.

In total, 28 bets were placed on the events and most were included in bigger parlays. All 28 bets were placed at MGM Springfield sports betting kiosks.

The reason for the mistake? The company inserting Harvard into the MGM Springfield betting catalogue improperly listed the Massachusetts school as being located in Connecticut, so the filter prohibiting bets on state-located colleges did not pick up on the improperly placed wagers involving Harvard.