Massachusetts Sports activities Betting Begin a Success, On-line Books Prep Launch
Massachusetts sports activities betting started this week on the state’s three industrial casinos. State gaming regulators declare the primary few days of wagering have been glitch-free.
Three-time Tremendous Bowl champion Julian Edelman locations the primary wager on the WynnBet Sportsbook at Encore Boston Harbor in Everett, Mass., on Jan. 31, 2023. Massachusetts sports activities betting started with out difficulty on the state’s three industrial casinos. (Picture: Encore Boston Harbor)
Massachusetts legalized sports activities betting final August. The Massachusetts Gaming Fee (MGC) determined to permit the state’s brick-and-mortar casinos to open their sportsbooks earlier than on-line operations start.
The WynnBet Sportsbook at Encore Boston Harbor, BetMGM Sportsbook at MGM Springfield, and Barstool Sportsbook at Plainridge Park debuted their sports activities betting amenities this previous Tuesday, January 31. MGC Government Director Karen Wells instructed the fee that the primary 48 hours of authorized, regulated sports activities playing went easily.
“The launch of the sports activities wagering on the retail websites, on the three casinos, was profitable,” stated Wells. “I’ve not heard of any points or any issues which have come to gentle, both technical or in any other case.”
“Thus far, so good,” Wells concluded.
Massive First Guess
Sportsbook openings have develop into an enormous deal in newly legalized sports activities betting states. It’s customary for celebrities and politicians to put the primary authorized wagers, which was actually the case this week in Massachusetts.
At Encore, former New England Patriots star Julian Edelman, who gained three Tremendous Bowls whereas taking part in in Foxboro with Tom Brady, walked via the on line casino ground with a briefcase handcuffed to his wrist full of $11K in money. When he arrived on the WynnBet Sportsbook, he put all of it on the Boston Celtics profitable this yr’s NBA Finals.
Whereas many first bets are small wagers, most politicians chorus from exhibiting an excessive amount of enthusiasm about expanded gaming, Edelman went massive. With the Celtics’ title odds at +360 on the time of the wager, Edelman would web $39,600 if Boston wins the championship.
WynnBet in January introduced Edelman was becoming a member of its expertise roster as a model ambassador.
In Springfield, Mayor Domenic Sarno and Boston Bruins hockey legend Ray Bourque did the honors of putting the primary bets. No particulars of their bets have been supplied.
And in Plainville, one other former Patriots star — linebacker Rob Ninkovich, who gained two Tremendous Bowls with New England — made the primary wager at Barstool. Ninkovich took the Boston Bruins to win the NFL Stanley Cup at +500 odds. How a lot he wagered wasn’t revealed.
Marching Towards On-line Launch
With the retail sportsbooks up and working easily, the MGC’s consideration is on the forthcoming launch of on-line operations.
Together with WynnBet, BetMGM, and Barstool, the MGC has discovered six interactive sportsbooks appropriate for working on-line wagering. They’re DraftKings, FanDuel, Bally’s Interactive, PointsBet, Betway, and Betr.
In states the place in-person and on-line sports activities betting is allowed, greater than 80% of the general deal with — or cash wagered — is facilitated on-line. The MGC is focusing on an “early March” launch for on-line sportsbooks.
Whereas meaning on-line sportsbooks gained’t be open in time for the February 12 Tremendous Bowl between the Philadelphia Eagles and Kansas Metropolis Chiefs, Massachusetts sports activities bettors ought to have on-line sportsbook entry in time for March Insanity. The annual males’s faculty basketball event suggestions off on March 14.
