The Massachusetts Gaming Commission is now complete with its tethered license agreements after approving Fanatics Betting and Gaming’s application. The Fanatics Massachusetts online sportsbook will be able to go live following the market’s launch. This will be the first market for Fanatics Sportsbook.
This agreement will kick off both Massachusetts sports betting and Fanatics’ foray into the U.S. betting market.
Fanatics Gains Massachusetts License
The agreement came during the MGC’s executive session hearing. Fanatics’ operation will be in conjunction with Plainridge Park Casino. This is the second online sportsbook tethered to Plainridge Park as the casino also partnered with Barstool Sportsbook.
The agreement allows the sportswear and merchandise company to offer odds statewide in Massachusetts. All betting odds available by MGC regulations will be accessible on the Fanatics sportsbook. Fanatics is to be powered by Amelco, an international source code, and software company. Fanatics is in the process of acquiring Amelco.
“This is important because it is a proven code base and operating platform in the U.S., as well as internationally, so we feel very good that we were able to build our business on the back of a world-class and proven sports wagering technology,” said Matt King, CEO of Fanatics Betting and Gaming.
Massachusetts Sports Betting On Steady Pace
The completion of issuing tethered Category 3 licenses keeps Massachusetts on the timeline to go live with online betting in March. What is next is the untethered operators who have already begun giving their pitches.
DraftKings, Betr, and FanDuel have all begun their pitches to the MGC. The untethered operators will be able to offer odds in the Bay State without needing to partner with a local casino operator. Fans can expect to see these operator licenses issued in the coming weeks.
The goal was always to have online sportsbooks live in time for March Madness betting. This gives the MGC just over two months to have the market ready. The pace at which the commission has been working keeps them on track.
Online sports betting in Massachusetts is going to be a reality for residents real soon. Retail sports betting will be live on January 31, just in time for Super Bowl LVII. The Massachusetts betting market is kicking off real soon.
