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PointsBet Out of the Online Betting Picture in Massachusetts

Flores Brian

Updated on March 2, 2023 at 10:10 AM EST • Read time: 2 minutes and 16 seconds. Find more information on Twitter and Google News.

FOXBOROUGH, MASSACHUSETTS – JANUARY 01: Devin McCourty #32 of the New England Patriots misses an interception against the Miami Dolphins during the third quarter at Gillette Stadium on January 01, 2023 in Foxborough, Massachusetts. Winslow Townson/Getty Images/AFP

The long-awaited introduction of online sports betting in Massachusetts will have one less prominent operator participating in the launch.

PointsBet was one of the first six operators to receive an untethered online sports betting license from the Massachusetts Gaming Commission (MGC), but has now withdrawn its application to offer a sports betting product in the state.

According to a PointsBet spokesperson, the company has decided to exit the Massachusetts sports betting market in order to emphasize their commitment to their 14 live states in the US, as well as Ontario.

This is not the first major pivot we’ve witnessed from the Australia-based sportsbook, as it seems to be transitioning towards a more localized strategy. PointsBet withdrew as the sole odds provider for the Football Night In America pregame show at the beginning of the 2022 NFL season, and was later replaced by BetMGM.

At that time, PointsBet and NBC Universal restructured their partnership to prioritize localized TV advertising in live markets over national distribution purchases.

PointsBet has transitioned from being one of four NFL-approved operators to focusing on local and regional targeting in states where it already has established customer bases. These strategic decisions are part of PointsBet’s “path to profitability” as they currently make up just over 2% of the total handle in the U.S. online sports betting industry.

Who’s left in the MA online sports betting landscape?

With PointsBet’s exit, there are now 10 sports betting sites remaining in the MA online sports betting market before the planned March 10 launch of mobile wagering, which includes some of the top sportsbooks in the industry.

Bet365 announced in January that it was withdrawing its bid to operate in the Massachusetts sports betting market. Betway is currently undergoing an acquisition by Super Group, causing a slowdown in the application review process with the MGC. A spokesperson from Betway stated that this could potentially delay its launch by approximately one year.

Fanatics recently revealed that it will not be ready to launch alongside the rest of the group, opting instead to join Bally Bet in aiming for a later release date.

Caesars has released its Caesars Underscoreg mobile app for download and is getting ready to open its retail sports betting facility at Raynham Park. Keep an eye out for the launch of the Caesars Underscoreg mobile app as the March 10 go-live date gets closer.

DraftKings, FanDuel, and BetMGM have all secured licenses to enter the Massachusetts online sports betting market. BetMGM holds a tethered license tied to MGM Springfield, which was among the first to accept legal bets on January 31. Springfield mayor Domenic J. Sarno and Boston Bruins legend Ray Bourque were on hand to place in-person wagers at the casino.

WynnBet can anticipate strong local support for its loyalty program connected to its casino at the Encore Boston Harbor. Similarly, Barstool Underscoreg, a local brand with a dedicated following, is also well-positioned with its physical location at Plainridge Park Casino, the oldest venue for betting in Massachusetts.

Betr is the final addition to the list of approved operators competing for market share in Massachusetts’ online sports betting industry.

With PointsBet leaving, there is now an additional license available for another operator to join the Massachusetts sports betting market. Which company might be the next to enter the fray?

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.