The Gaming Commission found PointsBet to meet the criteria for a Massachusetts online sports betting license. The next step is for the MGC to vote on license applications, including that of PointsBet. Other companies applying for licenses are DraftKings, Digital Gaming corporation, Bally Interactive, Betr, and FanDuel.
The MGC questioned PointsBet’s affiliations with the University of Colorado and the University of Maryland. The Institution of Colorado and PointsBet signed a five-year advertising arrangement in 2020, with PointsBet agreeing to pay the university quarterly payments through 2026 in exchange for advertising and signage at the football stadium. PointsBet also has the opportunity to advertise in collegiate sporting events.
PointsBet, a sports betting provider, is an official partner of the University of Maryland Athletics. Also, the company signed a multi-year collaboration with the university.
Massachusetts Online Sports Betting License
PointsBet’s Executive VP of Media and Strategy, Rick Martira, stated that the company’s commercials in college stadiums only use broad branding elements like logos and taglines. Additionally, according to gaming Korea sources, he explained that recruiting emails are addressed to alumni associations, not current students.
Eileen O’Brien, the MGC’s commissioner, said that the commission had asked other operators in similar arrangements if they would be willing to forgo future advertising partnerships with educational institutions in Massachusetts. Also, all parties agreed to do so. However, according to Korea sports news reports, she questioned whether or not PointsBet would be ready to impose similar restrictions on partnerships within the Commonwealth.
Rachel Kasper, PointsBet’s VP of legal affairs, compliance, and licensing, has stated that the company would not seek to develop similar advertising and marketing partnerships with schools in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
While the university had some questions, the commissioners praised PointsBet’s approach to promoting responsible gambling. Cathy-Judd Stein, chair of the MGC, praised the operator for prominently including a link and emblem for responsible gaming on the platform’s landing page, calling it quite powerful. It should be the same policy when betting on sports in Korea.