The Massachusetts Gaming Commission (MGC) has revealed 29 potential applicants have registered an interest in securing new sports betting licenses in the US state.
The state’s regulator on October 7 released a scoping survey, a required prerequisite of a sports wagering operator application in Massachusetts. Parties interested in applying were required to submit the survey by October 17 so that the MGC could begin reviewing those that plan to apply.
The MGC said that it received 29 operators scoping surveys from potential applicants for Category 1, 2 and 3 Sports Wagering Licenses by the deadline. Three were in relation to Category 1 Licenses, three from parties interested in Category 2 Licenses, and 23 came from potential Category 3 License applicants.
The survey sought to gather specific information on potential applicants and the MGC said it will use this data ahead of application submissions and to support the applicant evaluation process.
The MGC noted that while the survey is a required part of a license application, the non-refundable application processing fee of $200,000 is not due until full applications are submitted.
Applicants for the new sports betting licenses must submit a completed application by 2pm local time on November 21. Any other interested parties can still submit the scoping survey, despite the initial October 17 deadline having passed.
State governor Charlie Baker in August signed the Massachusetts Sports Wagering Act into law, legalizing sports betting in the state and establishing the MGC as the overseer of the market.
Massachusetts will make available seven online-only licenses, while casino and racetrack operators in the state will be allowed to apply for a sports betting license.
The law also established two different taxation regimes –with online betting taxed at 20% and retail at 15%. While bettors will be permitted to wager on a wide range of events, including most types college football, an exception is carved out in the law banning betting on matches involving in-state teams.
Commissioners from the MGC have, however, warned that the launch of sports betting in the state is “going to take some time”.