Massachusetts may soon be adding more online sportsbooks.
The Massachusetts Gaming Commission (MGC) voted unanimously at a meeting on Thursday to reopen the sports betting license application process in the state. The vote was in response to a formal request from bet365.
MGC Deputy General Counsel Justin Stempeck noted that the British sportsbook sent a letter in which it expressed its interest in being considered for a Category 3 untethered license.
“bet365 has engaged in conversations with staff for quite some time as to the appropriate process by which to make a request to the commission to reopen this particular process,” Stempeck told commissioners. “We advised that they should send a formal letter, which they did.”
SBC Americas reached out to bet365 for more information.
DraftKings, FanDuel, and Bally Bet currently hold untethered online sports betting licenses in Massachusetts, and four more of those licenses are available under Massachusetts’ gaming rules. BetMGM (MGM Springfield), Caesars (Encore Boston Harbor), Fanatics (Plainridge Park Casino), and PENN Interactive’s theScore Bet (also Plainridge Park) are operational as tethered mobile sportsbooks in the Bay State.
Other operators may be keen, notes MGC
In light of bet365’s request, commissioners voted 5-0 in favor of posting a Notice of Intent to assess the level of interest from other operators in entering the Massachusetts market. “This decision that’s squarely before you is simply whether or not the commission wants to reopen the licensing process,” clarified Stempeck.
MGC Chair Jordan Maynard noted that it was recently the two-year anniversary of Massachusetts launching online sports betting, on March 10, 2023. “It makes sense that we’re going to take a look at those open licenses,” he opined.
Commissioner Nakisha Skinner noted that although it was bet365 that filed a notice of interest with the MGC, the commission should explore how many other operators out there may be interested. “It could just be bet365, we could have others coming out of the woodwork. So I’m fine with opening up the process.”
“Whoever wants to come forward, feel free,” added Commissioner Brad Hill. “And then there’s the process we will go through to see if this is something that will fit for the Commonwealth of Massachusetts or not.”
Commissioner Eileen O’Brien voiced her concern that reopening the licensing process before the commission has assessed the potential financial impacts and other ramifications of adding more licensees was tantamount to “putting the cart before the horse”. She recommended that the MGC commission an economic analysis before ultimately selecting any new licensees.
Commissioners ultimately voted 5-0 to reopen the licensing process and explore the level of interest from sportsbook operators. Stempeck noted that he will discuss internally and come back at a later date with a proposal on how long the Notice of Intent will be open for and how the process will start to move forward.
bet365 looks to keep expanding in US
bet365 currently offers online sports betting in 16 states as well as Ontario, plus online casino gaming in that Canadian province, New Jersey, and Pennsylvania. It most recently launched in Missouri when that state opened its sports betting market on Dec. 1, 2025, and it is expected to be in the mix in Alberta when that province becomes Canada’s second regulated commercial online betting market on July 13 this year.
The company has invested heavily in expanding its U.S. presence over the last couple of years. As well as launching sports betting for the first time in five states in 2025, it spent approximately $135m to open a new 120,000-square-foot headquarters in Denver, Colo. in 2024.
bet365 confirmed to SBC Americas last month that it has followed other Sports Betting Alliance members and fellow Massachusetts licensees FanDuel, DraftKings, and Fanatics in leaving the American Gaming Association (AGA).
“As a digital-first operator, bet365 has pulled back from the AGA due to the organization’s focus on the retail casino industry,” a bet365 spokesperson said. “We greatly value our industry partnerships and remain committed to working constructively with regulators and partners across the markets in which we operate.”
