The specifics and the exact departure dates are still being ironed out but both Betr Sportsbook and WynnBet are working their way out of the Massachusetts sports betting market.
On Thursday, the Massachusetts Gaming Commission discussed the requests and put in requests for a waiver of the 90-day notice period. Once it became clear that the operators and the MGC staff needed to iron out details, the commissioners paused approving any exit strategies this week.
Betr appeared in the meeting and requested to leave the state around Feb. 16. WynnBet did not appear, so it is unclear what timeline it is working towards.
While WynnBet the app will be ceasing operations in the state, the retail sportsbook at Encore Boston Harbor will remain open under its Category 1 license.
When Wynn first announced its plans to scale back its online sport betting presence, CFO Julie Cameron-Doe said the company would focus its online efforts on markets where the company has a brick and mortar presence. At the time, it seemed as thought WynnBet in both Nevada and Massachusetts were safe, but that has since changed.
Betr announced plans to withdraw from Massachusetts in tandem with its announcement it would be expanding its sportsbook into several new markets and getting into the online casino game as well.
Once the operators receive final approval on their exit strategy, that will leave just six operators in the state. When the window for application opened up, the state received 12 applications despite having 15 available licenses. By the time the process was done, only 10 applicants remained.
Bally Bet and Betway received applications but have yet to launch an app. When it came time for the operators to renew, Betway said it would be pulling out of the state, while Bally Bet paid to re-up its license but warned the state was currently not a priority for the organization.
