Massachusetts Launches Mobile Sports Betting with DraftKings Leading Day-One Operators
Massachusetts launched mobile sports betting on March 10, 2023, with DraftKings, FanDuel, Caesars, BetMGM, and other operators going live in one of the most anticipated US market openings of the year, timed to coincide with the NCAA March Madness tournament.
Key Takeaways
- Massachusetts mobile sports betting launched March 10, 2023
- DraftKings, FanDuel, Caesars Sportsbook, BetMGM, and others launched on day one
- Retail sports betting at three licensed casinos had already launched in January 2023
- The launch was timed to coincide with the start of the NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament (March Madness)
- Massachusetts Gaming Commission (MGC) oversaw the licensing and launch process
- Massachusetts is the sixth most populous state in New England and a major sports market (Patriots, Celtics, Red Sox, Bruins)
Why It Matters — Players
Why It Matters — Operators
Massachusetts launched regulated mobile sports betting on March 10, 2023, delivering legal wagering to residents of a state with one of the strongest sports fan cultures in the United States. The Massachusetts Gaming Commission (MGC) approved the initial batch of mobile operator licences in time for a launch that coincided with Selection Sunday for the 2023 NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament — the opening weekend of March Madness.
Multiple operators went live simultaneously on March 10, including DraftKings (headquartered in Boston), FanDuel, Caesars Sportsbook, and BetMGM, with additional operators following in subsequent weeks. DraftKings' home market status in Massachusetts gave the company particular marketing advantages and name recognition in the state.
Massachusetts had already launched retail sports betting at its three licensed casinos — MGM Springfield, Plainridge Park Casino, and Encore Boston Harbor — in January 2023, in advance of the mobile launch. The retail-only period served as a regulatory test run before the wider mobile rollout.
The MGC implemented a regulatory framework including customer protection requirements, responsible gambling obligations, and a Massachusetts exclusion list. The state levies a 15 percent GGR tax on mobile sports betting revenue and 12.5 percent on retail sports betting.
Massachusetts' strong sports culture — shaped by four major professional sports franchises (New England Patriots, Boston Celtics, Boston Red Sox, Boston Bruins) and significant college sports interest — made the market attractive to operators, who invested heavily in welcome offers timed to the NCAA Tournament launch window.
- Source:
- PlayUSA
- Published:
- March 10, 2023
- Original Article:
- View Source
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