Sports wagering in Massachusetts is a relatively small industry in terms of employment and vendor spending. Across the United States, however, the industry employs more than ten thousand well-paid workers, engages nearly 1,200 vendors, and spends nearly $1.75 billion a year on these vendors. Overall, a significant portion of the sports wagering industry workforce comes from diverse backgrounds, both in Massachusetts and in the U.S., and compares favorably to similar industries. The industry spent more than half a billion dollars per quarter on vendors across the U.S., five percent of which went to Massachusetts firms. However, participation and spending on diverse firms make up a very small portion of engagement and spending for operators. The scarcity of certified diverse businesses generally and in the top spending sectors for sports wagering operators specifically provides an explanation for the very low levels of diverse business participation in the sports wagering industry. An additional barrier is the limited number of significant purchases, which are typically specialized and sole-sourced.

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