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.
