Encore Boston Harbor receives first sports betting License in Massachusetts
The Massachusetts Gaming Commission (MGC) awards first sports betting license to Wynn Resorts’ Encore Boston Harbor. They became the first operator to secure a sports betting license from the MGC.
With a Category 1 Sports Wagering Operator License, Encore can now operate sports betting at their casino property and their two online platforms. But they are not there yet. Encore must secure a certificate of operations first. To get a certificate they need to meet all additional requirements before they can launch sports betting.
With that comes that all online platforms with a category 1 license must also be licensed as category 3 operators. And the last one the MGC has not yet given. The MGC said that Encore Boston Harbor is planning to launch two online gambling platforms in in cooperation with WynnBet and Caesars Sportsbook.
The MGC aimed to launch their sports betting platform in the states eligible for Category 1 sports betting licenses by January.
15 Gambling Licenses
Last month, the MGC announced that 15 operators had applied for sports betting licenses.
There was a deadline set to apply for the licensed. The deadline passed at 2pm local time on November 21th. The MGC received four applications for category 1 licenses, five for a category 3 license linked to a category 1 license and six for stand-alone category 3 licenses.
An additional category 2 license linked to a category 3 license was submitted, while the MGC noted that the category 2 licenses, where for only horsetracks or simulcast facilities qualify, will all be accepted after the deadline.
Not only Encore applied for a Gambling License
Besides Encore, the MGM Springfield and Plainridge Park Casino also submitted for an operator category 1 license. Plainridge Park Casino intended to operate two platforms with Sports Interactive and Fanatics Sportsbook, and MGM Springfield let us know that they will concentrate on one single platform in cooperation with BetMGM.
Bally Bet, Betr, Betway, DraftKings, FanDuel Group and PointsBet all have submitted for an Category 3 license. With a Category 3 license they can offer players sports betting via a online platform, without being partner of a physical casino in the State.
As for the category 2 licenses, while MGC said that it hasn’t received any applications, Raynham Park and Suffolk Downs, the only two entities eligible for these licenses, are planning to apply.
Raynham Park told the MGC that when he applies for a license, he will do it in cooperation with Bet365. In order to link an operator of Category 3 to a license category 2, the last license needs to be granted.
On December 12, the MGC will hold a meeting for the five category 3 permit applications associated with a casino.
What other states allow sports betting?
Arizona, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Indiana, Illinois, Iowa, Kansas, Louisiana Michigan, Mississippi, Nevada, New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Virginia, West Virginia, Wyoming and now also Massachusetts.
In these states there are Online Casinos with a license specifically for a state.
What are the best bookmakers to play at?
We understand that you still want to bet on sports, even though Massachusetts bookmakers have not yet launched their site or don’t yet have their license. Because of this we, from BestBettingCasinos.com, have sorted out the best online casinos for you that offer betting on sports.
For instance BetMGM, an online bookmaker that does not yet have a license, but does have a site and a physical location linked to their casino: MGM Springfield. BetMGM offers a wide range of sports and betting options in the US. They have an excellent sports betting app and offer a risk-free first bet up to a thousand dollars $$$. BetMGM offers a lot of bonuses and promotions, like a reward program, One Game Parlay insurance, Parlay Boost Tokens and the Refer a Friend promotion. Read all the ins- and outs about BetMGM here. We explain to you how to claim the bonuses and in the review there is also an bonus code exclusively from BestBettingCasinos.com.
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DraftKings, PointsBet and FanDuel Group have all three submitted for a Category 3 license and Caesars Sportsbook applied for a category 1 license. We have written a review about all of these casinos. The pros and cons of the casino, the bonuses they offer, promo codes and a lot more.
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