Massachusetts to Consider New Applications for Sports Betting Licenses

(AsiaGameHub) –   The Massachusetts Gaming Commission (MGC) unanimously voted 5–0 on Thursday to reopen the application window for sports betting licenses in the state.

MGC Votes to Reopen Applications

This decision was prompted by a request from bet365 to apply for a statewide mobile betting license, signaling persistent interest even as legal questions around prediction markets linger. The British operator is pursuing a “Category 3” license, which permits statewide online sports wagering.

Bet365’s application follows shortly after state legislators paused discussions on a bill to legalize online casinos.

MGC Chair Jordan Maynard stated that a company’s commitment to operate under state oversight and taxation, despite sector disruptions, was notable. He expressed encouragement at the sustained interest in Massachusetts’s legal market and respected the company’s dedication.

This marks bet365’s second try for a Massachusetts license since online sports betting launched there in 2023. The company previously withdrew from a planned market entry via a partnership with Raynham Park, a simulcast facility near Boston. It has since expanded its U.S. footprint and now operates in 16 states.

When Could Applications Start?

Commission staff advised setting a timeline for new applications at a later public meeting, then issuing a “Notice of Intent” to measure applicant interest. A memo explained that if applications for Category 3 mobile licenses outnumber available slots, the MGC must create a competitive review procedure. No such framework currently exists in law or regulation, as it was unneeded in the first licensing round when licenses outnumbered applicants.

Some reservations were voiced prior to the vote. Commissioner Eileen O’Brien asked if reopening the process was prudent without first analyzing the potential economic effects. She also questioned whether bet365 or others would be inclined to open a retail sportsbook location.

The commission concluded the best path was to open for applications and assess the impact concurrently. A specific schedule for this application period has not been set.

In related state sportsbook news, the MGC recently fined five major operators for compliance violations, which included offering banned types of bets.