Hallelujah! It looks like it’s a go for mobile Massachusetts sportsbooks on Friday, March 10.
During Thursday morning’s public meeting of the Massachusetts Gaming Commission, Executive Director Karen Wells proposed the tentative date with a 10 a.m. launch time for all approved mobile betting providers.
“This is dependent on the quality of the internal control submissions that the applicants have submitted, and their responsiveness to issues brought up by GLI (Gaming Labs International),” said Wells, about 15 minutes into the meeting. “If applicants don't respond to GLI issues in a timely manner, it can affect the launch date.”
Final “licensure” for operators with Massachusetts sportsbook apps will be on Feb. 23.
This is refreshing news for sports bettors in the Commonwealth as the NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament field will be announced two days later, on March 12. Play begins with the First Four on March 14-15 in Dayton, Ohio, followed by first and second-round action at various sites on March 16-19.
Eighteen men's college basketball conference tournaments will be taking place launch weekend: American Athletic, ACC, America East, Atlantic 10, Big 12, Big East, Big Ten, Big West, Conference USA, Ivy, MAAC, MAC, MEAC, Mountain West, Pac-12, SEC, SWAC, WAC.
Both of Boston's two active professional teams will have a scheduled off day on the proposed mobile launch date. However, both will be in action the following day as the Detroit Red Wings will visit TD Garden to take on the Boston Bruins on March 11 and the Boston Celtics will visit the Atlanta Hawks.
All six untethered Category 3 (online) sportsbook license applications: BallyBet, betr, DraftKings Sportsbook Massachusetts, FanDuel and PointsBet were approved on Jan 19.
Other approvals in the state: Caesars Sportsbook and Fanatics Betting & Gaming and Betway Massachusetts.
Retail Betting Off and Running
Massachusetts launched retail betting on Jan. 31 and said it would have mobile in time for March Madness.
There are three casinos with retail sportsbooks where you can place a wager: Plainridge Park Casino (Barstool Massachusetts Sportsbook), MGM Springfield (BetMGM) and Encore Boston Harbor in Everett (WynnBET).
The online arms of the retail operators also will launch on March 10.
If everything goes according to plan.
As we draw closer to March 10, look for WynnBET Massachusetts Sportsbook promo codes and those of other sportsbooks.
In the meantime, stay tuned to BetMassachusetts.com for info of all sorts on sports wagering in the state, including the top Massachusetts sportsbook promo codes.
