SPRINGFIELD, Mass. (WWLP) – The Massachusetts Gaming Commission has approved a Category 1 sports wagering license for MGM Springfield.

It was a unanimous vote for MGM Springfield for the Category 1 sports wagering license. That would allow MGM Springfield to have in-person sports betting and will open the door for online wagering in the future.

The announcement comes after a decision was deferred in an earlier meeting calling for multiple clarifications on their application.

One of the bigger sticking points; their relationship with Bet-MGM, an online platform, that’s separately applying for a category three license. That would allow people to place online sports bets.

Commissioner Nakisha Skinner raised concerns over how the two parties would share data. She told 22News, “All of the issues to be concerned about in connection with their category three application. They’re present and very much an issue in their role as a vendor for MGM Springfield.”

Now MGM Springfield has to get an operations certificate and meet other conditions before bets can be placed.

“A very important step forward for our entire team at MGM Springfield and so we thank you for the thoughtful and deliberate approach,” said Chris Kelley President & COO of MGM Springfield.

Currently, the commission is in the process of deciding to approve Bet-MGM for a Category 3 license. The state’s gaming commission said the official launch date for sports betting will be released in the next few weeks but has set a goal of beginning in-person betting for a Category 1 license by January and online betting for a Category 3 license by March.

The commission was supposed to vote on MGM’s application last week but that got delayed as they discussed Caesars Entertainment and Encore Boston Harbor. The Commissioners were also unhappy that MGM’s application arrived late and that certain portions of MGM’s in-person application referenced information that was only written in the BetMGM application.