Massachusetts Sports Betting Applications Poised For January 31 Launch
The state of Massachusetts includes a wealth of pro and college sports franchises, with championship trophies being hoisted by area teams routinely. What has not been available is a domestic option for betting on any of the Boston area sports programs, but come January 31, that situation will change.
Mobile Sports Betting In MA
At the end of the month, real money gambling apps for iPad, iPhone, and Android devices will debut, granting regional bettors that have reached the age of 21 an opportunity to wager on local and national sports.
The 31st is also the date when in-person sportsbooks are expected to open their doors to MA-based bettors.
As many as twelve licenses will be granted to mobile sports betting sites, but they are only going to allow six sportsbook apps to begin operating at the end of January.
Temporary sports betting app licenses will be available to providers not included in the initial six books. However, temporary licenses have been priced at $1 million for one year.
The temporary license fee is non-refundable and has significantly lessened the interest of major sportsbook operators for now, but that could change once the revenue reports are revealed.
Here are the first six operators that are expected to be available to mobile gamblers in MA on January 31, 2023:
- Bally Bet
- Betr
- Betway
- DraftKings
- FanDuel
- PointsBet
In-Person Sports Betting In Massachusetts
The end of January will usher in retail sports betting venues in MA, starting with locations in the following three venues;
- Encore Boston Harbor
- MGM Springfield
- Plainridge Park Casino
More brick-and-mortar sportsbooks are expected in the near future, but as of this writing, there have been no formal applications submitted to the Massachusetts Gaming Commission (MGC).
These retail venues will also feature online and mobile sportsbooks that must be used on-site. Here are the mobile and online sports betting providers and the casinos that they’ll be attached to:
- WynnBET – Encore Boston Harbor
- Caesars – Encore Boston Harbor
- BetMGM – MGM Springfield
- BetFanatics – Plainridge Park Casino
- Barstool Sportsbook – Plainridge Park Casino
- BetRivers – Suffolk Downs
What Can Be Bet On In MA?
The types of sports that can be bet on at domestic books are still being decided by the MGC. It can be assumed that major professional leagues like the NFL, NBA, NHL, and MLB will be included, but some states have restricted wagering on local collegiate programs.
Gambling options could be limited to only major sports at first, and there is a chance that less popular leagues could be left out altogether.
Offshore Mobile Sports Betting In Massachusetts
While local MA sports bettors await the end of the month, they should also be aware of offshore sportsbooks that have served the state for years. These overseas sports betting entities can legally accept members from inside the state of Massachusetts and allow them to wager on all major pro and college sports right now.
These mobile gambling apps also allow access to casino games and cash poker rooms, all from the convenience of their smartphones and tablets from anywhere inside state lines.
These international betting applications can be pulled in Massachusetts up on iPhones, iPads, and Android devices using web browsers right now.
Source – The News & Observer