Massachusetts Player Limit Talk Set for Aug. 1

At long last, Massachusetts’ licensed sportsbook operators plan to meet with the state’s gaming commission to discuss betting limits. Talks are expected to continue Aug. 1, though the topic is likely to remain fluid.

Six of the state’s seven operators ducked out on a roundtable last month, prompting discussions about when the much-anticipated meeting might happen. At the time, sports betting operators raised concerns over privacy, suggesting that confidential risk management policies could be compromised in an open forum. Even so, their reluctance to speak irritated members of the Massachusetts Gaming Commission who felt slighted by the no-show.

Bally’s was the only licensed operator to attend, with DraftKings, FanDuel, Fanatics Sportsbook, ESPN BET, Caesars Sportsbook, and BetMGM leaving the commission in the dark.

Here’s the latest from the Massachusetts Gaming Commission report.

Operators Raise Privacy Concerns

While some commissioners would like to amend state regulations to address the practice of limiting bets, operators are worried about it potentially hurting their business. DraftKings and ESPN BET have been the most outspoken on the issue.

They’ll soon get another chance to express those feelings.

Details of that meeting are still being hashed out. The commission, for instance, is still considering who else — if anyone — to invite to the sportsbook review. They’ve suggested having a few Massachusetts sports bettors attend to increase representation among the constituents.

Will progress be made? Some commissioners remain skeptical. Natasha Skinner has questioned what would come of a second meeting, saying last week she wasn’t convinced operators would be fully transparent regarding the practice of limiting bets.

Regardless, Jordan Maynard, interim chair of the Massachusetts Gaming Commission, said that all seven licensed operators have agreed to attend the next roundtable.

Bally’s Debut Delayed

Bally’s will not be launching in Massachusetts on Thursday as planned, Maynard explained during Wednesday’s Massachusetts Gaming Commission report. Instead, it plans to debut sometime next month after it receives a certificate of compliance from the state’s gaming commission.

Maynard revealed that Bally’s still has “one outstanding issue” to take care of before moving forward. A certificate of compliance meeting is scheduled for July 1, with the launch likely soon to follow.

Bally’s initially received its license in January 2023, but the wait for the sportsbook has been ongoing. It’ll compete alongside some of the best sports betting app in the Commonwealth, including industry leaders DraftKings and FanDuel.

Online sports betting has been active in Massachusetts since March 10, 2023. Six sportsbooks entered the market at the time.

Stay tuned for more updates from the latest Massachusetts Gaming Commission report.

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