On Monday (1 July) the Massachusetts Gaming Commission announced that Bally Bet has plans to launch Tuesday (2 July). The commission approved Bally's application for its operations certificate, clearing the way for that launch.
The MGC revealed that Bally Bet plans to launch at 11am local time on Tuesday.
Bally Bet has had its temporary licence for about 18 months and is the last of the operators approved for a 2023 launch to do so. After Betr and WynnBet exited Massachusetts earlier this year, Bally Bet will provide a seventh betting option for those in the state.
Bally Bet opted to sit out the universal launch on 10 March 2023 and renewed its temporary licence earlier this year at a cost of $1m.
“Congratulations to Bally’s, thank you for being another legal operator in the market,” MGC chairman Jordan Maynard said. The commission unanimously agreed to issue Bally’s Interactive with its operations certificate.
Bally Bet will join BetMGM, Caesars Sportsbook, DraftKings, ESPN Bet, Fanatics Sportsbook and Fanatics in Massachusetts.
“I think that [….] the collaboration and communication from your guys’ group was at the highest and most professional level,” chief operating officer Brett Calapp said during the meeting. “As an operator, I think that it is really, really appreciated to have that kind of cohesive communication during the licensing journey because it is complex and there are a lot of moving parts to it and there are a lot of people involved in it.”
Massachusetts will be the eighth state in which Bally Bet is available. It is live in Arizona, Colorado, Indiana, Iowa, New York, Ohio and Virginia.
VSC launches in Maryland
As Massachusetts bettors await the Bally Bet launch, on Monday Maryland bettors got a new option when Veterans Services Corporation (VSC) went live. The company launched its LetsBetMD platform, bringing the number of mobile sportsbooks to 12. British-based Bee-Fee LLC is the operating partner.
VSC completed its controlled demonstration in late May. Marylanders are expected to get another new platform this week, as well. Betr, which exited Massachusetts earlier this year, has indicated it plans to launch soon. Maryland’s Sports Wagering Application Review Commission issued Betr its licence on 26 June. The company must undergo a controlled demonstration before launch.