Retail casinos launched in the state on January 31st, albeit with initial hiccups violating in-state college sports betting regulations right out of the gate. Online operators are scheduled to go live by early March, just in time for the famous March Madness basketball tournament.

State Revenue Concerns Mounting

For online sports betting, 11 operators have been cleared for business, while three retail sportsbooks in casinos are already up and running. However, the amount of tax revenue projected to be collected by the state from legal sports betting is not up to par with what many legal states are taking in. Some experts in the industry believe that major sportsbooks like FanDuel Sportsbook, DraftKings Sportsbook, BetMGM, and Caesars may benefit to an inordinate degree compared to the state.

It has been projected that as much as $60 million in tax revenue could be generated from legal sports wagering in the commonwealth. This would, however, be a small percentage of the $40 billion-plus state budget accrued in recent years. Yet, opinions vary on this, and the revenue could be as low as $35 million. State Treasurer Deb Goldberg stated that “sports betting is a for-profit business, they’re in it to make money. So the tax revenue that they’ll pay is merely a drop in the bucket to what they will ultimately make.�/p>

Massachusetts law has set a 15% tax rate on in-person sports betting, 20% on online betting, and 15% on fantasy sports wagering. The Senate initially proposed a 20% tax rate on in-person betting and a 30% rate on online wagering.

Sports betting industry experts do not believe the 2023 state income from sports betting will be particularly sizable. One reason is the reasonably low tax rate, and the other is that online betting will not be available for the entire year, and even retail betting missed most of the month of January. This means that no sportsbook was open for the Super Bowl or NFL playoffs.

Still, assuming mobile sportsbooks can open before March Madness as expected, this will significantly boost state sports betting revenue. The Massachusetts Gaming Commission has aggressively urged operators to prepare for the earliest possible launch.

There is still some pessimism regarding whether all operators will have their ducks in a row. Foley Hoag partner Kevin Conroy stated, “I think there’s this question about how many will be ready to go in March. I think the bigger guys have circled the date and they will be ready to go,�adding, “this is an aggressive timeline that the commission is moving on. And so I will be interested, on the go-live date that the commission lays out, how many companies are offering their products on that date.�/p>

Concerns With the Outlook for Sportsbooks

The immediate outlook for mobile sportsbooks in Massachusetts appears positive. Yet, where the fear lies is with long-term sustainable results. Martin Lycka is an executive at the sports betting and gambling company Entain. He believes that regulations in other legal gambling states have caused the cost of doing business as an online sportsbook operator to become unreasonable. Lycka stated that Massachusetts mobile-only sportsbooks would have “a goal that they’ll try to make the most of it,” concluding, “but not all of them might be able to sustain the continuous pressure in the long run.â€Â?/p>

Bill Pascrell III of the Princeton Public Affairs Group believes that the future of the sports betting industry nationally may be unsustainable. Aside from state revenue concerns, he believes that even the sportsbooks themselves may struggle to prosper. Pascrell stated, “The market is not profitable,” continuing, “all of these companies are scraping and trying the best they can with potentially a recession on the horizon. They’re all trying to become profitable, but it’s going to be hard for them.â€Â?/p>

Regulators in Massachusetts have considered that financial stability could be an issue for the large number of sportsbooks that have been licensed in the state. Still, according to Massachusetts Gaming Commission’s Cathy Judd-Stein, the continued successful operation of the sportsbooks in other state markets is a positive sign. She stated that she was “personally really pleasedâ€Â?by what she has seen among the six mobile-only sportsbooks slated to operate in the state.

According to Pascrell III, bigger-name operators like Caesars, DraftKings Sportsbook, BetMGM, and FanDuel Sportsbook may dominate the market and make it difficult for more fledgling sports betting operators. On the other hand, Conroy states that optimism is high among even smaller sportsbook operators on their future within the Massachusetts market.

Conroy said, “we represent one of the smaller folks who got an untethered license, and they’re excited about Massachusetts, and they’re excited about the opportunity it brings. They think there’s going to be a very good consumer base,�including “they’re really happy that they ended up filing an application and going through the process.�/p>

Optimism and Pessimism for MA Legal Sports Betting

Ultimately, it remains to be seen how smoothly the proposed early March launch of online sports betting rolls out and how the large number of sportsbooks scheduled to launch will fare, especially considering the extensive immediate competition. It is also uncertain to what degree the state will benefit compared to the operators.

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The MGC aims for a March 10th launch for all licensed sportsbooks that can meet the necessary requirements. However, a Fanatics spokesperson has confirmed that the sportsbook will not be ready for this proposed launch date. Fanatics joins Betway, another entity licensed to operate in Massachusetts but has experienced a hold-up due to a recent acquisition.

Interestingly, while Fanatics opened its first retail location at FedEx Field in Maryland in January of 2023, the online sportsbook product for the successful sports brand has yet to debut in any state. Fanatics is licensed for online operation in Maryland, Massachusetts, and Ohio, yet has not launched in any of the three. Yet, Michael Rubin, Fanatics CEO, has stated that rapid expansion is anticipated and that the online sportsbook should be available in 15 to 20 states by the end of 2023.

Sportsbooks That Should Launch by March 10th

While those that have been anxiously awaiting the highly anticipated Fanatics platform may be disappointed by this news, fortunately, many operators are running ahead of schedule. They are likely to launch by March 10th, which means right in time for March Madness. Although betting on in-state college teams is not allowed in Massachusetts (although some retail sportsbooks have already violated this policy), large tournaments such as March Madness are excluded from this regulation.

Three retail sportsbooks in casinos (Encore Boston Harbor, MGM Springfield, and Plainridge Park) have been open since January 31st. Meanwhile, 11 online sportsbook operators have been approved for a launch on March 10th. These include six untethered operators and five that are connected to casinos.

Of course, Betway and Fanatics will not be among these to launch on time, leaving nine online operators likely to be active on March 10th. Bally Bet, Barstool Sportsbook, BetMGM, Betr, Caesars Sportsbook, DraftKings, FanDuel, PointsBet, and WynnBET can realistically be expected to launch in the commonwealth by early March.

While not in discussion for March 10th, a fourth retail location at horse racing simulcast location Raynham Park operated by Caesars Sportsbook Massachusetts, should be open in 2023. It is also anticipated that fellow simulcasting facility Suffolk Downs will soon join the fray with a retail sports betting location. Multiple licenses available in Massachusetts have yet to be claimed, meaning more operators are likely to launch in the state before it is all said and done.

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As the proposed early March launch date for online sports betting in Massachusetts approaches, MA residents are getting geared up for mobile betting. Yet, retail sportsbooks have already been open since January 31st, and more are on the way. This week’s Massachusetts Gaming Commission meeting will result in progress toward a new Caesar Sportsbook Massachusetts to open at Raynham Park.

Caesars Sportsbook Massachusetts To Open at Raynham Park

The Massachusetts Gaming Commission (MGC) meets today to discuss scheduling its review of the retail sports betting application for Raynham Park. This is in addition to discussing other essential matters regarding legalized sports betting in Massachusetts. After this meeting, the commission will hold a public hearing on February 28th, yet the opening of Caesars at Raynham Park may not be included in the agenda.

Further discussion of the Raynham Park application will likely occur in March. It appears that this Caesars Sportsbook location will be the fourth retail sportsbook to open in Massachusetts.

Currently operating retail sportsbooks include MGM Springfield’s BetMGM Sportsbook, Encore Boston Harbor’s WynnBET Sportsbook, and Plainridge Park Casino’s Barstool Sportsbook. This means that Caesars will be joining the fray of retail sportsbook operators. Under current MA law, only one other retail sportsbook can open, which will be located at Suffolk Downs.

In Bristol County, a little over 30 miles south of Boston, Raynham Park is one of two Massachusetts horse racing simulcast facilities licensed to offer sports betting. Suffolk Downs, which should soon host sports betting, is the other.

Caesars Sportsbook plans to install an elaborate 30,000-square-foot sportsbook facility at Raynham Park by the Summer of 2023. In the meantime, a temporary sportsbook will operate.

Other Items on the MGC Agenda

While the Raynham Park location will be a crucial consideration on the MGC’s agenda for its next meeting, other matters will be discussed. These include marketing affiliates for sports betting and further investigation of unauthorized in-state college sports betting at retail locations. It appears that at least one bet may have been placed on Harvard College basketball at the BetMGM Massachusetts sportsbook in the Bet MGM Springfield.

Other matters will include a vote on the SER exemption request by MGM Springfield and a quarterly update on MA’s responsible gaming strategy entity GameSense. Online sports betting licenses for all Category 3 (sportsbooks that are not connected with a retail location) licenses will be finalized. These include PointsBet, FanDuel, DraftKings, Betway, Betr, and Bally Bet. 2021 unpaid horse betting winnings from Raynham Park Suffolk Downs, Plainridge Racecourse, and Wonderland Park will also be discussed.

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On Wednesday, January 31st, Massachusetts sports betting went live with three retail sportsbooks, including Encore Boston Harbor, MGM Springfield and Plainridge Park. There is an expectation that online sports betting in Massachusetts will be ready to go in time for the popular NCAA basketball tournament March Madness, with a tentative start date of March 10th.

The Barstool Sportsbook, operating through Plainridge Park, posted a fantastic 64.9% hold, claiming $54,000 in winnings from the $83,000 wagered. MGM Springfield profited $12,300 in Revenue based on a $57,000 handle.

In terms of Massachusetts gambling tax contributions, MGM Springfield and Plainridge Park, the two profitable operators among the three in the state, generated $9,861 in tax revenue. This is based on the state’s 15% of adjusted revenue. Most of this was due to Plainridge Park’s considerable earnings, contributing over $8,000 of the overall tax revenue. The Massachusetts Gaming Commission has not provided details on what sports generated the most profit.

Despite unfortunate early violations of college sports gambling policy by retail casinos, online sports wagering is still scheduled to go live by March 10th. Ten or more operators are likely to be launched in Massachusetts in time for March Madness. These include Bally Bet, Barstool Sportsbook, BetMGM, Betr, Betway, Caesars Sportsbook, DraftKings, FanDuel, PointsBet, Fanatics, and WynnBET. We’ll let you know if there are any new developments regarding legal online sports betting in Massachusetts leading up to the scheduled launch date.

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With legal online sports betting in Massachusetts arriving soon, only particular sportsbooks are already licensed and ready to begin operation in the commonwealth. Still, compared to many states that have legalized online sports betting, many top operators in the industry already have their ducks in a row before the permitted launch date. MA sports bettors will have a number of sportsbooks to choose from off the bat. 

A List of Sportsbooks Poised To Launch

A whopping ten of the top online sportsbooks in the US are ready to go live this March. The tentative start date is March 10th, assuming all goes smoothly. These include DraftKings Sportsbook, FanDuel Sportsbook, PointsBet, Bally Bet, and Betr. These sportsbooks have been approved for untethered Category 3 licenses in Massachusetts. This means that they can operate without association with a brick-and-mortar sportsbook. 

WynnBet, Caesars, BetMGM, Penn Sports Interactive (Barstool Sportsbook) and Fanatics Sportsbook have been approved for tethered licenses and are slated to go live upon the likely March 10th launch date. While Betway is well along the way to launching, its acquisition by Super Group may cause a delay in the approval of its application, leading to a later start date. It is expected that at least 20 legal sportsbooks will be available in Massachusetts in the near future. 

Sportsbooks Should Be Active for March Madness

It is no coincidence that the proposed March 10th launch date is just two days before one of the top betting events of the year, the NCAA basketball tournament known as March Madness. This major event includes all the top conferences, such as the ACC, Big 10, Big 12, Big East, and Pac-12. Massachusetts Gaming Commission Executive Director Karen Wells has stated that digital licenses for top sportsbooks like Bally Bet, Barstool Sportsbook, BetMGM, Betr, Caesars Sportsbook, DraftKings, FanDuel, PointsBet, Fanatics, and WynnBet should be approved by February 23rd If all goes according to plan. 

Will Casino Violations Slow the Process?

It is unfortunate for the cause of Massachusetts online sports betting that multiple retail casinos committed violations of the state’s NCAA betting regulations. All the more so considering that March Madness is on the horizon and would be a significant boon to MA’s legal sports betting revenue. Encore Boston Harbor and Plainridge Park Casino allowed wagering on banned college basketball games involving in-state teams. The Massachusetts Gaming Commission is investigating these violations. 

Both of these violations were self-reported and occurred on relatively minor college sporting events, and for a short period. It appears that this was simply due to an unintentional error and not a planned breach of policy. Still, this snafu has raised questions as to the reliability of sportsbooks in maintaining state regulations, and this may have the potential to push back the launch date for online sports betting in MA. 

 

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Retail sportsbooks have been open since January 31st in the state, yet we are still waiting for online sports betting in Massachusetts to begin. The tentative start date is March 10th, which means that although the Super Bowl has passed, there is a good chance that online operators will be ready to go for NCAA basketball‘s biggest tournament, March Madness. 

The March Madness men’s tournament kicks off on March 14th, meaning perfect timing for eager MA sports bettors. On top of it, the women’s NCAA basketball tournament starts a day later on March 15th. However, there is some chance that the start date could be held up, meaning a considerable loss of revenue for online sportsbooks in the state. 

Possible Setbacks for Massachusetts Online Sports Betting

Executive director of the  

Unfortunately, an additional wrinkle has entered into the situation with the recent violations by two casinos in MA allowing sports bets on banned in-state college games. Barstool Sportsbook through Plainridge Park Casino accepted wagers on Merrimack College men’s basketball games for around seven hours. WynnBET at Encore Boston Harbor took bets on Boston College women’s basketball games for approximately five hours. 

That these violations involved college basketball on top of it is even more cause for concern regarding March Madness. The good news is that there should be no direct connection between these events and March Madness because betting on in-state college teams is permitted during tournaments involving four or more colleges. This means this violation would not be possible during this NCAA tournament. 

Previous Delays Reduce Optimism on Timely Launch 

You would certainly assume that based on all the potential revenue during this top betting event, online sportsbooks will be sure to comply with all regulations in time to meet the March 10th launch date. Yet, there have been some delays so far that may not bode well for the future. 

These include the MGC delaying Plainridge Park Casino’s retail betting license due to their direct relationship with Barstool Sports founder Dave Portnoy. The same occurred with MGM Springfield Casino, this time due to a lack of clarity on the relationship between its retail and online connection with BetMGM. Caesars’ online betting license was also delayed due to previous violations of betting policies, partnerships with colleges, and other issues. Advertising practices that may appeal to betters under 21 have been a common sticking point slowing down the MA legal sports betting process. 

How Big of an Impact Would a Delayed Launch Have?

The American Gaming Association projected that in 2022 an estimated 45 million Americans would bet on March Madness, for upwards of $3.1 billion in revenue. Based on the popularity of March Madness and the fact that MA sports fans will be chomping at the bit to enjoy online sports betting, millions of dollars in revenue will likely be lost if sportsbooks can’t meet the March 10th launch date. Not to mention the loss of state tax revenue that would be sustained. 

Still, it appears likely that online sportsbooks are on track for a March 10th launch, and at worst, retail sportsbooks and casinos in MA will be available for the popular basketball tournament. We will keep you posted on any future news pertaining to the proposed March 10th launch and March Madness betting in Massachusetts. 

 

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Legal sports betting in Massachusetts has gotten off to a rocky start with immediate violations to the regulations in regards to college sports betting in the commonwealth. While Massachusetts online sports betting has yet to go live, with an expected launch date of March 10th, retail locations have opened as of January 31st. 

The Massachusetts Gaming Commission ascertained that two of the three active casinos in Massachusetts, Plainridge Park Casino and Encore Boston Harbor, have allowed college sports betting on in-state teams. This is prohibited by legal sports betting regulations in the state.

Barstool Sportsbook partner Plainridge Park Casino accepted Wagers on Merrimack College men’s basketball games for approximately seven hours. Encore Boston Harbor, partnered with WynnBET, took action on Boston College women’s basketball games for five hours, according to investigators 

There is overwhelming evidence that would suggest that these were honest mistakes by the casinos and not an outright attempt to break the legal gambling rules in Massachusetts. For one, both casinos reported these violations themselves. A spokesperson for Encore Boston Harbor stated:

“The resort self-reported the error to the Gaming Commission, and has instituted additional measures to ensure compliance moving forward.�/span> 

Plainridge Park general manager North Grounsell said:

“Due to a data input error by one of our vendors, we notified and self-reported a violation to the MGC. We regret that this mistake happened, take full responsibility, and have added several remedial steps to our compliance process to help prevent this from happening again.�/span> 

While it is unfortunate that these rules were breached, it is understandable that technical hiccups could occur early in operation. In addition, these particular sporting events are not in demand for betting, meaning that the operators would not benefit to any great degree for allowing them to be wagered on. 

There is some chance that this violation could put the expected March 10th launch of online betting operations in jeopardy. This is particularly true as it is days before the beginning of the “March Madness” NCAA basketball tournament.  

The good news is that Massachusetts regulations allow betting on in-state college teams when playing in a tournament featuring at least four other schools, such as March Madness. So, there will not be concerns on betting operators allowing illegal bets on in-state teams during the tournament. 

The online sports betting. We will keep you posted as this story unfolds. 

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Mobile sports betting in Massachusetts is set to go live in time for March Madness, and much of the focus has been placed on the tremendous amount of profit to be made. House Speaker Ron Mariano said it best, before apologizing for the “I think you’re looking at a potential gold mine… I really think they could have gone a little faster. But obviously they erred on the side of caution and took their time and wanted to make sure there were no major mistakes.”

There are some concerns about the change to Massachusetts gambling laws and the potential for a negative affect on Massachusetts residents. The immediate hiccup in which multiple casinos (retail sports betting has already gone live) allowed banned bets on in-state college games has raised a red flag. Particularly considering that they are unlikely to face any significant ramifications for this gaff.

In states where online sports betting is legal, an estimated 50 million people placed a bet on the Super Bowl this year. That is close to 20% of Americans of legal betting age. Critics of legal sports betting and addiction experts have concerns about the potential impact of legal sports betting throughout the nation, especially with the upcoming launch of specific MA sports betting promos. Some residents are concerned for the populace’s well-being, while others are excited about legalized sports betting and believe the revenue will benefit the state.

Arguments in Favor of Massachusetts Legal Sports Betting

Among those who are gung-ho for legalization is Robert Westerfield, Vice President of Casino Operations at “We prepared for this for a long time, now that it’s finally here, we’re super thrilled… the bets will be in the thousands and the amount of money will be, who knows, through the roof.â€Â?/span> 

The American Gaming Association strongly argues for legalized sports betting in MA. Illegal sports betting on offshore sportsbooks or using local bookies is rampant in the US. Officials at the Association claim that an estimated 64 billion dollars were illegally bet in 2022. According to Cait DeBaun, Vice President of Strategic Communications and Responsibility at the This means considerable progress toward sports betting in the US becoming a legal practice. Not to mention massive amounts of tax revenue and money put into the US economy rather than siphoned off to offshore sports betting operators. Another argument made by DeBaun is that additional consumer protection is available through legal sportsbooks, ensuring that bettors are paid out.

We have seen some signs from retail operators in MA that measures are being taken to educate and protect bettors. Brochures explaining the risks of gambling are available throughout the casinos. Information centers are open 16 hours a day with trained advisors to educate bettors. This includes explaining the nature of sports gambling, how betting lines and betting odds work, how to budget for betting, and how to balance sports gambling as a healthy part of your life.

The Gaming Commission has even created a “Voluntary Self-Exclusion Program,�enabling people to set limits on their sports betting or disable their ability to bet. This is a powerful option for those who know they cannot control their gambling and is a sign of good faith toward the well-being of the community from the sportsbook operators.

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Matt Blake, Online Gambling’s blackjack ambassador and gaming expert, has the latest for OG News.

New York Losing $4bn Per Year

New York State Senator Joseph Addabbo has long been a vocal advocate for the legalization of online gaming in the state. With recent projections indicating iGaming is likely to generate more revenue than sports betting, the State Senator once again raised his concerns: