Fanatics Sportsbook Won’t Launch in Massachusetts on March 10

Massachusetts sports betting News Sports Betting
Written By Matthew Bain on February 17, 2023 - Last Updated on February 27, 2023
Fanatics Sportsbook won't launch in Massachusetts on March 10, from playma.com
Share on Facebook
Share on Twitter
Share on LinkedIn
Share on Reddit

Fanatics Sportsbook won’t launch in Massachusetts on March 10, when online sports betting is set to go live in the state.

That’s according to Legal Sports Report, which heard the news from a Fanatics spokesperson on Thursday.

That means only nine MA sportsbook apps are now expected to launch March 10: DraftKings, FanDuel, BetMGM, Caesars Sportsbook, PointsBet, Bally Bet, Betr, WynnBET, and Barstool Sportsbook. Betway is also approved in Massachusetts, but it won’t launch until 2024.

Fanatics currently has sports betting licenses in Massachusetts, Ohio, and Maryland. It also has one pending in Pennsylvania. There is a retail Fanatics Sportsbook at FedEx Field in Maryland. But, as of yet, the sports apparel giant has yet to unveil its online sports betting product.

READ MORE: All You Need to Know About Massachusetts Sports Betting

Could Massachusetts still be the first state we see a Fanatics Sportsbook app? Possibly. But it won’t happen March 10.

How BetFanatics Massachusetts Got Approved

The Massachusetts Gaming Commission approved Fanatics for a Category 2 online sportsbook license tied to Plainridge Park Casino via a 5-0 vote in January.

MGC commissioners expressed concerns during their review about the blending of Fanatics’ apparel and sports betting audiences. Especially customers younger than 21. In response, Alex Smith, the Fanatics vice president of regulatory affairs, said customers would have an option to opt out of any sportsbook advertising.

Also during the MGC review, Fanatics Betting and Gaming CEO Matt King said the company plans to have BetFanatics Sportsbook platforms live in all legal US markets by September 2023. That’s seven months from now.

One thing we do know is that Amelco will power the Fanatics Sportsbook app. Amelco is an information and technology company based in the United Kingdom. It provides the coding for other national sportsbook brands FOX Bet, WynnBET, and PlayUP. It did the same for Fubo Gaming before that folded.

Plainridge Park Casino has a retail Barstool Sportsbook, even though it gave one of its tethered online licenses to Fanatics.

Share on Facebook
Share on Twitter
Share on LinkedIn
Share on Reddit
Photo by AP Photo/Jeff Chiu
Matthew Bain Avatar
Written by
Matthew Bain

Matthew Bain started as News Editor and Content Manager at PlayMA in 2022. Before that, he spent six years as a sports reporter and then deputy sports editor for the Des Moines Register, during which time he won nine statewide journalism awards, including the Genevieve Mauck Stoufer Outstanding Young Iowa Journalists Award. As deputy sports editor, Matthew oversaw the Register's recruiting coverage while also innovating the outlet's high school sports coverage. Matthew graduated from San Diego State and grew up in California, but he's somehow a Boston Celtics fan. Long story. Matthew also led coverage of Prop 26 vs. Prop 27 in the California sports betting election battle for Catena Media.

View all posts by Matthew Bain
Privacy Policy