Soon after the Massachusetts sports betting bill was signed by Gov. Baker, the Massachusetts Gaming Commission requested that sports wagering platforms submit a notice of intent form to the agency. With a submission deadline of Aug. 31, the notice served as an official indication of interest in applying for a sports betting license in the state. So far, 11 operators have submitted a notice. Sports betting platforms that do not make the deadline will have a chance to apply for a license at a future date.
The 11 sports betting platforms that have expressed interest in Massachusetts are:
888 US, Inc. (88 Holdings)
The UK-based 888 Holdings and Sports Illustrated formed a partnership in 2021 to create an online sportsbook, 888 US. With 14 years of experience in the European market and a betting app among the top 100 sports apps in the Apple Store, 888 has a respectable footprint in online sports betting.
Bally Bet
The Bally Bet online sportsbook is already operating in six states where online sports betting is legal. The platform has partnerships with professional sports league including MLB, NHL, the WNBA, and a few individual teams. Expansion plans include Ohio as well.
Bet Fanatics
Fanatics, the licensed sports apparel merchandiser, announced a foray into online sports betting this past spring. They hired FanDuel CEO Matt King to oversee the efforts. Bet Fanatics will benefit from the vast Fanatics database of over 80 million sports fans.
Betr
Social media personality and boxer Jake Paul revealed plans to launch a betting platform called Betr in early August. The platform will feature micro-betting, which is moment-to-moment wagering during sports events. Fans can bet on moments like the next pitch in a baseball game or the next rebound in a basketball matchup.
DraftKings
DraftKings already has a sizable presence in the online sports betting space, with mobile betting available in about a dozen states. It was the first company to provide online sports betting in New Jersey in 2018. It is also the official sports betting partner of the NFL.
GAN (B2B)
GAN provides the underlying software that powers dozens of sports betting platforms worldwide. For example, the business-to-business software firm developed online sports betting features and simulated gaming for clients such as FanDuel, Wynn Resorts, and Churchill Downs.
NYX Digital Gaming (B2B)
Acquired by Scientific Games in 2017, NYX Digital Gaming is another business-to-business digital sports gaming technology provider. Scientific’s portfolio includes mobile and desktop casino games, lottery machines, and sports betting terminals in several states.
PlayUp
PlayUp already operates sportsbooks in Colorado and New Jersey with plans to expand to Indiana, Iowa, and now Massachusetts. The company boasts that it provides superior customer service and transparency for its customers compared to other sportsbooks. It is also the official sportsbook of NHL’s New Jersey Devils.
PointsBet
Founded in Australia, PointsBet’s U.S. division is spreading its footprint rapidly. It has online sports betting operations in 11 states, with the latest being Kansas, launching officially on Sept. 8, coinciding with the opening of the NFL regular season.
Sportradar (B2B)
Based in Switzerland, Sportradar’s specialties include analyzing live data for sports betting companies, leagues, and sports federations. It also helps online sports betting companies develop mobile apps. Sportradar has partnerships with hundreds of sports betting platforms.
WynnBET
Established in nine states, WynnBET looks to expand its online sports betting operations into New England. It has a roster of celebrity athletes like Shaquille O’Neal and Chad “Ochocinco” Johnson, and has become a well-known name in the betting space.
In addition to these sportsbooks, we also expect betting platforms such as BetMGM, Caesars, and FanDuel to become available in Massachusetts. All in all, Massachusetts sports bettors will soon have a plethora of sports betting platforms to choose from when the industry launches in the Bay State.