bet365 Officially Enters Massachusetts Sports Betting License Process

bet365 has taken a significant step toward launching in the Bay State, submitting a Letter of Intent to the Massachusetts Gaming Commission for a Category 3 untethered online sports betting license. For Massachusetts sports betting fans who have watched the global operator expand rapidly across the US, an official launch may finally be on the horizon.

What an Untethered License Means for Massachusetts Bettors

Massachusetts sports betting licenses fall into different categories. Tethered licenses require an online sportsbook to operate in conjunction with a physical retail casino, for example, BetMGM MA currently operates through MGM Springfield. An untethered license, by contrast, allows an operator to run a standalone online sportsbook without being tied to a brick-and-mortar location.

There are currently seven untethered Category 3 licenses available in Massachusetts, with only three currently active operators holding them, DraftKings Massachusetts, FanDuel, and Bally Bet. That means the Massachusetts Gaming Commission can simply approve a bet365 Massachusetts application without the need for additional licensing slots.

What Comes Next for a bet365 Massachusetts Launch

Submitting a Letter of Intent is just the first step. According to the MGC, operators must next complete a scoping survey, submit formal application materials, and pay relevant fees. A timeline for approvals will be set at future public MGC meetings, meaning a bet365 Massachusetts launch is not imminent, but the process is formally underway.

What bet365 Is Up Against in Massachusetts

Now operating in 17 US states following its recent Michigan launch, bet365 has been one of the more aggressive operators in pursuing new licenses. The company also recently departed the American Gaming Association in favor of the Sports Betting Alliance, aligning itself with the digital-first approach of members like DraftKings and FanDuel.

Those two operators are already among the dominant MA betting apps in a market that has been live since March 2023, alongside Caesars MA, Fanatics, and BetMGM. bet365 would be stepping into a competitive environment, but its reputation for deep live betting markets and strong in-play features could carve out a meaningful audience, particularly among bettors who have already used the platform in other states.