Two more online sports betting sites have received key approvals from Massachusetts regulators, putting those bookmakers in line to launch soon in the Bay State.
The Massachusetts Gaming Commission (MGC) on Tuesday approved house rules for Fanatics Sportsbook and an operations certificate for Betr.
Those approvals are part of the process for operators before they can start conducting legal sports betting in the commonwealth.
Commissioners voted 5-0 in favor of Fanatics’ house rules for Massachusetts sports betting, albeit with a note that the operator will be amending a section to explicitly state that credit cards cannot be used.
Taking their time
The MGC approved Betr’s certificate by a 5-0 vote as well. That approval puts the microbetting-focused operator on the cusp of launching online sports betting in the Bay State, as it is one of the last steps in the regulatory process.
Both Betr and Fanatics previously indicated to the commission that they would not be ready to go live in Massachusetts on the original March 10 start date, when six other operators started taking action in the state. Instead, Betr said it would need about an extra month or so to prepare, while Fanatics said it was eyeing a May debut.
At the moment, in addition to brick-and-mortar operations at three casinos, there are six online sportsbooks taking bets in Massachusetts:
The eventual addition of Betr and Fanatics to the mix should inject more competition into the online sports betting scene in Massachusetts.
Both are also newer sportsbook operators that conduct themselves a bit differently than more traditional bookmakers, such as Betr’s interest in microbetting markets like the outcome of the next pitch in a baseball game. Betr has only launched in Ohio thus far.
Moreover, Fanatics Sportsbook is the wagering arm of the sports merchandise company, potentially offering it some different ways to acquire customers. The company is currently running a retail sportsbook at FedExField in Maryland.
Draft Day decisions
Commissioners got a refresher course on NFL Draft betting as well on Tuesday, as Massachusetts allows for wagering on the event with certain restrictions.
The state’s rules require pre-draft wagers that involve the entirety of the draft — such as how many players from Alabama get selected — must be made and accepted before the first pick of the event. Furthermore, round-specific bets, such as whether someone will go in the first round, must be locked in before that round begins.
Finally, pick-specific bets must be made and accepted at least two picks before the selection in question. So, if you wanted to bet who goes 10th overall, that wager must be made before the eighth pick is announced.
The rules, the MGC heard, are modeled after Michigan’s requirements for draft betting. Commissioners also heard that staff met with the NFL this week and received a thumbs-up for the state’s rules.
“Our procedures did in fact meet all the requirements of the NFL,” Sports Wagering Director Bruce Band said during Tuesday’s MGC meeting.
