It all comes down to the votes.
After listening to one more presentation at its public hearing on Tuesday, the Massachusetts Gaming Commission (MGC) announced PointsBet USA has met the criteria to operate in Massachusetts sports betting.
This is the sixth and final mobile sports betting provider not tied to a casino or racing entity to get initial approval in the state. It won't be long before bettors get to use a PointsBet Massachusetts promo code.
Currently, PointsBet operates in 14 jurisdictions in the U.S., launching first in New Jersey (2019) and most recently in Maryland and Ohio.
PointsBet Joins FanDuel, 4 Others
Besides PointsBet, untethered approvals in the state include: BallySports (Jan. 6),  FanDuel Massachusetts (Jan. 9), betr (Jan. 10), DraftKings Massachusetts Sportsbook (Jan. 11).
Official voting on the untethered license applications, which also includes Betway Massachusetts (Jan. 13) will begin Wednesday, with the hope of wrapping up by Friday.
The MGC also will vote Wednesday on necessary regulations for mobile sportsbooks to operate within the state. This will include application fees and requirements, suitability standards, licensing fees, procedures/conditions and voluntary self-exclusion rules.
Five other mobile sportsbooks were given approval to operate within the state, including Barstool Sports Massachusetts, BetMGM, Caesars Sportsbook, Fanatics and WynnBet. Those five are tied to the state’s three casinos: Encore Boston Harbor in Everett, MGM Springfield and Plainridge Park Casino.
The debut of Massachusetts sports betting apps is targeted to launch sometime in mid-March, but no definitive official date or time has been set by the MGC. The aim is to do so before the NCAA Men’s College Basketball Tournament begins. March Madness starts on Tuesday, March 14 with the First Four and first-round action on Thursday, March 16.
Previously, the MGC announced that retail sports wagering at Category 1 licensees will launch in the state on Tuesday, Jan. 31, two weeks from today.
Be sure to follow BetMassachusetts.com for all the news on state sports betting, as well as for Massachusetts sportsbook promos.
