The Massachusetts Gaming Commission has finally set the start dates for the state’s in-person sports betting industry, with a soft launch scheduled for January 30 and an official debut scheduled for January 31. 

Before the Super Bowl, Massachusetts Launches In-Person Sports Betting.

Mass Live reported that after a lengthy license approval process, the Massachusetts Gaming Commission convened on December 22 and settled on a launch date for retail sports betting in the Bay State. 

The launch date is just a few days before the Super Bowl, much to the delight of sports enthusiasts in Massachusetts.

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Casino Operators Must First Conduct a Soft Launch

The five commissioners determined that a soft launch would occur on January 30 and set the formal launch date for the following day. 

However, the discussion on this timeline was hampered by the fact that one of the Commissioners who was intended to attend the Encore Boston Harbor soft launch will be unable to do so due to prior commitments. Her request to delay the launch by one day was denied, and a different commissioner was appointed to the casino.

Plainridge Park Casino, MGM Springfield, and Encore Boston Harbor, who are licensed to offer retail sports betting, will get their sports betting products operational and then invite just a small group of persons, including a member of the Massachusetts Gaming Commission, to check them out. 

Before the formal launch on January 31, casinos will conduct live testing of their sportsbook offerings during the soft launch on January 30. It is anticipated that all earnings from the soft launch would be donated to charity.

Delays are possible

However, several steps in this procedure precede the actual launch. The three casinos must first get an operational license. The sports betting equipment testing business Gaming Labs International must test and verify the software and hardware the three casinos will use at their kiosks and sales counters in order to obtain these certificates.

Completing all Required Documents Prior to January 27

According to the schedule, Gaming Labs International must issue their verification prior to January 27 in order for the Commission to complete all required papers on that date. 

Any delays in this procedure could result in a delay in the start of the Massachusetts sports betting market. Recently, the Commission issued licenses to three casinos that would be permitted to offer retail sports betting at their locations as well as mobile betting via two distinct applications. The approval procedure was not without hiccups, as two verdicts were delayed due to numerous anomalies in the applications.

Eventually, MGM Springfield and Encore Boston Harbor were granted licenses. For Plainridge Park Casino, things were not as smooth. Concerns regarding its ties to Barstool founder and spokesperson Dave Portnoy resulted in a temporary license being issued.

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