Last week, Wynn Entertainment-managed Encore Boston Harbor became the first entity to receive a Category 1 Massachusetts sports betting license. That was part and parcel of the award of the Bay State’s first Category 3 license to Wynn’s online sports betting component.
Members of the Massachusetts Gaming Commission (MGC) voted to approve a Cat 3 license application for WynnBet Sportsbook on Tuesday. The approval means Wynn can start making preparations for a possible launch in March 2023.
Another Massachusetts sports betting first
In Massachusetts, Category 3 sports betting licenses are referred to as “tethered,” meaning the licensee is operated by a company that also runs a currently licensed gaming facility in the state or otherwise has a contractual relationship with a casino/race track in Massachusetts.
For WynnBet, that’s Encore Boston Harbor. After Encore became the first Category 1 licensee in Massachusetts last week, things looked promising for WynnBet’s Class 3 approval.
That came by a unanimous vote of the MGC on Tuesday. However, the commissioners approved the license conditionally. They demanded WynnBet supply them with a breakdown of its diversity spend when it comes to the service providers that WynnBet works with.
Provided WynnBet meets that condition, it could be ready to start accepting bets in Massachusetts as soon as March. It likely won’t be alone and that’s no guarantee just yet.
Other betting licenses up for consideration soon
Before WynnBet can launch its app in the state, it will need to pass a technical inspection and meet other requirements. The same goes for other Cat 3 applicants.
The MGC also had on its agenda for its Tuesday meeting consideration of a similar application from Caesars Sportsbook. Caesars has partnered with Encore. However, the consideration of WynnBet’s license took up most of the day.
It’s unclear how soon the commissioners will take that up. They have an agenda-setting meeting on Thursday morning. For now, though, WynnBet stands alone in Massachusetts.
