After the US Supreme Court binned PASPA in 2018, legal online mobile gambling has increased. The latest state to join the party is Massachusetts, with the Massachusetts Gaming Commission announcing that betting apps will be permitted by March 10, 2023. This is according to Tom Mills, MGC's Communications Division Chief, who updated PlayMA via email.
Mills said there are many tasks to complete before the market goes live. He mentioned IT and cyber security assessments, geolocation technology examinations, approval of internal controls and house rules, and granting operations certificates. The official said that more details would be availed at the February meetings.
On January 31, sports betting was officially launched in a retail capacity in the three casinos of Massachusetts: Encore Boston Harbor, MGM Springfield, and Plainridge Park Casino. According to PlayMA, these three locations are estimated to take in around $7 million in bets for the Super Bowl.
Nevertheless, should online sports betting be legalized, the figure is projected to increase to an impressive $49 million. It remains to be seen if mobile casino games will also become legal in the state soon.
Mills' news should be comforting for those desiring to legally bet on sports online in Massachusetts before March Madness starts. The initial First Four matchups commence on March 14-15.
Meanwhile, at least ten mobile gambling apps have been approved in Massachusetts. They include:
The Massachusetts Gaming Commission (MGC) held its public meeting on Wednesday, February 8, to present Quarter 4 accounts from the three Massachusetts casinos and assess their long-term expenditure plans. Another meeting was held on February 9 to discuss sports betting regulations.
On Tuesday, February 28, MGC will convene another meeting to discuss several topics, such as establishing internal controls for sports betting and uniform standards of accounting procedures.
