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MGC Announces March 10 Launch Date for Online Sports Betting

Flores Brian

Updated on February 10, 2023 at 1:50 PM EST • Read time: 1 minute and 45 seconds. For more information, check out our Twitter and Google News links.

CHAPEL HILL, NORTH CAROLINA – JANUARY 17: Makai Ashton-Langford #11 of the Boston College Eagles drives to the basket against R.J. Davis #4 of the North Carolina Tar Heels during the second half of their game at the Dean E. Smith Center on January 17, 2023 in Chapel Hill, North Carolina. The Tar Heels won 72-64. Grant Halverson/Getty Images/AFP

Online sports betting in Massachusetts is now one step closer to launching after much anticipation.

Karen Wells, Executive Director of the Massachusetts Gaming Commission, revealed the highly anticipated news on Thursday that 11 mobile sportsbooks will officially debut in Massachusetts at 10 a.m. ET on March 10.

This launch date falls just two days before the NCAA Men’s College Basketball Tournament’s Selection Sunday, coinciding with the peak of several major conference championships such as the ACC, Big 10, Big 12, Big East, and Pac 12.

These sports betting sites have been granted initial approval by the MGC to launch their mobile sportsbooks once the market is prepared for their debut:

As Massachusetts emerges as one of the most competitive markets in the country, it is expected to see a combination of top sportsbooks and new sports betting sites entering the scene.

MA retail sportsbooks already in hot water

Since the launch of retail sports betting in Massachusetts on Jan. 31, three operators have been accepting bets. However, two of these operators have recently faced scrutiny from the MGC for accepting illegal wagers shortly after their launch.

In Massachusetts, betting on college teams from the state is prohibited except in the case of a tournament with at least four schools participating. This means that if any Massachusetts teams qualify for March Madness, betting on them will be permitted.

Both Plainridge Park and Encore Boston Harbor were found to have accepted wagers on games involving Massachusetts college teams, according to the MGC. Plainridge Park allowed bets on a Merrimack College men’s basketball game, while Encore permitted some action on a Boston College women’s basketball matchup.

In each instance, it seems that the bets were made available as a result of a data-input mistake, and both casinos promptly reported the infractions to the MGC once the errors were discovered. As of now, no punitive measures have been implemented, but the MGC intends to delve deeper into the violations at an upcoming meeting scheduled for next Tuesday.

Next steps for MA online sports betting

During her announcement, Wells stated that the MGC’s staff is aiming to complete the digital licenses by February 23.

Betway had previously mentioned that its launch in March might be delayed due to its acquisition by Super Group potentially slowing down the approval process. However, the other 10 operators who have already received initial approval are likely busy creating enticing promotions for their Massachusetts sportsbooks in order to make a strong start during one of the busiest betting months of the year.

Written By:
Flores Brian
Grant is a former junior B ice hockey player, and a current believer that the Washington Capitals’ aging core still has another Cup run left in the tank. Grant’s owned and operated his own marketing agency since shortly after graduating from Virginia Tech in 2014. He pursued the profession because he figured it’d be a great way to get paid to do something he loves to do, write. After years of hammering puck lines and leading his fantasy football league as Commissioner, Grant started writing about sports betting and the casino gaming industry in 2021 and hasn’t looked back.