At 10 a.m. sharp on Tuesday, the first legal sports bets were placed in Massachusetts, making it the 33rd state to go live with wagering as a result of the Professional and Amateur Sports Protection Act having been overturned in 2018.
Massachusetts also becomes the fourth New England state to offer sports betting, behind Rhode Island, New Hampshire, and Connecticut. Wagering is legal in Maine, but not yet launched, and is not legal in Vermont.
Tuesday’s launch was for casino sportsbooks only. Eleven digital platforms — including DraftKings and FanDuel — are initially approved for a digital launch in early March, and brick-and-mortar sportsbooks at two parimutuel facilities are aiming to take bets later this year or early in 2024.
Here’s a look at what happened at the physical sportsbooks around the state Tuesday morning.
Barstool Sportsbook at Plainridge Park
First bets were taken quietly at about 10 a.m., and a formal ribbon cutting took place at 1 p.m. Former Patriots linebacker Rob Ninkovich placed a $50 bet on the Boston Bruins to win the Stanley Cup. Plainridge Park Vice President and General Manager North Grounsell was also on hand for the ribbon cutting.
Sports betting is now legal in Massachusetts.
At Plainridge Park Casino where former Patriot Rob Ninkovich is making a special appearance. More tonight at 5 @wpri12 pic.twitter.com/ZmGA6yxlmR
— Sam Knox (@SamKnoxTV) January 31, 2023
Barstool Sportsbook opened in a temporary space that has 18 kiosks and five teller windows. The permanent sportsbook will open later in the year with 20 kiosks and six teller windows. It will be located in the former Flutie’s Sports Pub.
BetMGM Sportsbook at MGM Springfield
At the BetMGM sportsbook in Springfield, the first bet was placed by Springfield Mayor Domenic J. Sarno, who was joined by Boston Bruins hockey great Ray Bourque. Sarno bet $50 on the Philadelphia Eagles to win the Super Bowl and Bourque bet $100 on his Bruins to win the Stanley Cup. State Sen. Adam Gomez and Rep. Carlos Gonzalez also laid down early wagers — Gomez bet $100 on the Kansas City Chiefs to win the Super Bowl and Gonzalez bet $50 on the Eagles to win.
Courtesy of BetMGM
There are multiple betting areas now available at MGM Springfield, but the marquee space is about 4,500 square feet with theater-style seating as well as a 45-foot viewing wall. The book also has 40 HD TVs and four teller windows. Kiosks will be located around the property, which will have two wagering lounges and betting available in the TAP Sports Bar.
WynnBET Sportsbook at Encore Boston Harbor
House Speaker Ronald Mariano was among the first bettors at Encore Boston Harbor, where he put down $50 each for the Bruins to win the Stanley Cup and the Celtics to win the NBA Championship. “First bets” were also placed at 10 a.m. by 32 selected customers in the sportsbook’s Kiosk Room. A host of retired local sports stars, including the Celtics’ Cedric Maxwell and former Red Sox center fielder Johnny Damon, were on hand and wagered at the teller windows at 10:30 a.m.
As of 10AM today, in-person sports betting in Massachusetts is officially legal 🏈🏀⚾
I am proud to have worked with my colleagues last session on the legislation that ultimately made this day possible.
Learn More ⬇https://t.co/frQyRPz46W
— Senator John Velis (@SenJohnVelis) January 31, 2023
Encore Boston Harbor is outfitted with betting kiosks everywhere from the drive-up station in the parking garage to its tricked out sportsbook, which includes a massive color-changing ball light (could be a baseball, basketball, or soccer ball depending on the season) that is surrounded by a circular game ticker. There are about 120 kiosks around the property.
The sportsbook itself has a 10-foot-high and 123-foot-long video wall that wraps around the area that features teller windows, club-style seating, and easy access to food and beverage.
Massachusetts sports betting opening day 🎰
Former athletes Cedric Maxwell, Matt Light and Johnny Damon place the first bets at @EncoreResortBH WynnBET Sportsbook windows @7News pic.twitter.com/IEGYwMo6s0
— Mari Salazar (@MariSalazarTV) January 31, 2023
Photo courtesy of BetMGM
