Sports betting experts weigh in on the 42 companies indicating their interest in a sports betting license in – MassLive.com

Sports betting experts say the 42 companies that are signaling their interest in taking part in the Massachusetts sports betting industry represent a robust group with the potential to create a competitive market.

Forty-two companies told the Massachusetts Gaming Commission they are interested in applying for a sports betting license, according to a list released Thursday morning. That includes well-known companies like FanDuel and DraftKings and local groups like the owners of Raynham Park.

Foley Hoag partner Kevin Conroy, who specializes in sports betting, said Thursday the very robust list is good for the Gaming Commission because members will be able to dig in on issues of importance beyond whether a company is suitable for the state or if they have integrity.

I expect the Gaming Commission will put some real emphasis on making sure that some of the companies in this have diverse ownership bases, and have diverse employee bases, he said in an interview. I think the commission will put some precedent on, or put some weight on determining if you are offering a really robust responsible gaming platform.

Gaming commissioners requested companies turn in notice of intent forms for informational purposes only in an effort to better understand the potential field of entities that want a wagering license, to set themselves up as a vendor, or just be involved in the creation of Massachusetts newest gaming industry.

The form asks for basic information is the company licensed in another jurisdiction, what business will it likely do here, what type of license are they seeking, and are they also pursuing licensure in another part of the country.

The list of companies includes Ceasars Sportsbook, BetMGM, Commonwealth Equine & Agricultural Center, Digital Gaming Corporation, Bet Fanatics, Fubo Sportsbook, G3 Esports, Mohegan Digital, Penn Sports Interactive, Plainville Gaming and Redevelopment, PointsBet Massachusetts, WynnBET, and Sportradar Solutions, among others.

Theres also Betr Holdings, a microbetting company founded by Jake Paul that plans the launch of a sports betting app in Ohio, whose market is slated to premiere in January.

A handful of the names on the list are business-to-consumer oriented and may be looking to operate a sportsbook, while others are business-to-business and are likely wanting to provide services to the sportsbooks.

Sports betting attorney Daniel Wallach said people should not automatically assume that all 42 companies are looking to facilitate bets. Take Sportradar Solutions, which previously said it submitted a form because they want to seek a license to act as a supplier

Also among the names are an established group of casinos that have moved into the digital sports betting world Caesars Sportsbook, BetMGM, Mohegan Sun, Seminole Hard Rock Digital, Resorts World Bet, and Blue Tarp reDevelopment, which is connected to MGM Springfield.

Some of those companies are no strangers to Massachusetts.

Mohegan Sun made a run at earning one of the states casino licenses in 2013 when it proposed building a facility in Eastern Massachusetts, while Rush Street made an unsuccessful bid at opening a casino in Brockton.

Both of those companies were thoroughly vetted by the Commission, found to be suitable, Conroy said. Youre seeing some companies who have already tried in Massachusetts, who were not successful, thinking about coming back to Massachusetts, which is interesting, and its a credit to the Gaming Commission.

Encore Boston Harbor which is pursuing sports betting won the Eastern Massachusetts casino license, and MGM Springfield, also looking to offer sports betting, won the Western Massachusetts license. A license for Southeastern Massachusetts, which Rush Street had competed for, was never awarded.

Several of the companies are also connected to Native American groups. FSST Interactive is run by the Flandreau Santee Sioux Tribe, Seminole Hard Rock Digital is run by the Seminole Tribe of Florida, and Mohegan Sun is run by the Mohegan Tribe.

Wallach said the presence of three out-of-state tribes really jumps out as a surprising development. There is no reason why the Seminole Tribe of Florida, he said, would not want to pursue a license in another jurisdiction.

I didnt anticipate that the Seminoles would be applying for one of the online gaming licenses in Massachusetts, he said. But it sets up an interesting or an intriguing possibility that they could become a favored partner of any of the state-licensed casinos.

Some of the companies will have to go through a complex application process if they are interested in one of the states seven untethered digital sports wagering licenses which are unique in Massachusetts because they do not require affiliation with a casino or racetrack.

Wallach said potential sports betting operators will need to show a track record of performance, suitability, and a plan for responsible gaming.

This is a Gaming Commission that takes responsible gaming very seriously, Wallach said. Responsible gaming is at the forefront of the Gaming Commissions objectives in selecting suitable sports betting operators.

The sports betting landscape here allows for three types of licenses, one for established casinos and slot parlors, another for simulcasting or racetrack facilities, and seven untethered licenses for companies looking to facilitate wagering on a mobile application or digital platform.

Conroy said the race to get one of the seven digital licenses will be competitive, and companies will need to make a solid case to the Gaming Commission for why they are best suited to get one.

The Gaming Commission will be very interested in national companies competing for this, he said. But we also remain parochial, and to the extent you are putting together a team that includes people from Massachusetts, I think the Gaming Commission will respect that and reward you.

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Sports betting experts weigh in on the 42 companies indicating their interest in a sports betting license in - MassLive.com