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Massachusetts Reopens Sports Wagering Process

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Publish Date: Apr 17, 2026

Fact checked by: Sara Jane Gamelli

If you want to operate a sports betting platform in The Bay State, now is your chance.

The Massachusetts Gaming Commission (MGC) voted unanimously Thursday to reopen the sports wagering licensing process in the state, which was prompted by a request from sports wagering platform Bet365 to apply for a Category 3 Sports Wagering License.

State law establishes three categories of sports wagering licenses:

Category 1: Licenses for retail sports wagering at a Massachusetts casino. Currently, there are three in the state: Encore Boston Harbor, MGM Springfield, and Plainridge Park Casino.

Category 2: Licenses for retail sports wagering at a racing facility.

Category 3: Licenses for online/mobile sports wagering, which can either be tethered to a Category 1 or 2 licensee, or untethered.

Here are the tethered sports betting platforms that are operating in the state: BetMGM (MGM Springfield), Caesars Sportsbook (Encore Boston Harbor), Fanatics Betting & Gaming, TheScore Bet - Penn Sports Interactive (Plainridge Park Casino). Three untethered licensees in the state: Bally Bet, DraftKings, FanDuel.

Companies interested in applying for a sports wagering license are directed to submit a Notice of Intent to the Commission to begin the licensing process.

The Commission began accepting submissions as of Thursday, April 16 with a deadline to submit on May 15.

If applications for Category 3 mobile-only licenses exceed the number available, the Commission will establish a competitive evaluation process.

Massachusetts officially began legal sports betting on January 31, 2023, when in‑person betting opened at the state’s three licensed casinos. Mobile betting follow on March 10, 2023, coinciding with the start of the NCAA Men's and Women's College basketball Tournaments.

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