Massachusetts kicks off legalized sports betting with retail launch
Politicians and famous faces on hand at MGM Springfield and Encore Boston Harbor for launch of retail sportsbooks
Legalized sports betting officially kicked off in Massachusetts on January 31, with MGM Resorts and Wynn leading the charge in the Bay State.
Retail sportsbooks formally opened for business concurrently at MGM Springfield and Encore Boston Harbor, with politicians and other famous faces on hand to mark the occasion at each of the Bay State’s two flagship casino properties.
At MGM Springfield, Mayor Domenic J. Sarno was joined by BetMGM CEO Adam Greenblatt at the BetMGM Sportsbook & Lounge, a state-of-the-art venue with a 45 ft LED viewing wall, four betting windows, and 18 self-service kiosks.
“Yet another first for our city of Springfield (the City of Firsts) and for the Commonwealth of Massachusetts,” said Sarno. “This has been a long time coming and brings yet another chapter of innovation to enhance the operations and development at MGM Springfield.”
“Today reaffirms our collective support to pass legislation for sports betting,” added State Representative Carlos Gonzalez. “It will bring more visitors to Springfield’s MGM, create jobs, and generate $20m-$30m in revenue to Massachusetts.”
The politicians were flanked by Bruins legend and Hall of Famer Ray Bourque, who proceeded to make one of the first legal wagers in the state, a $100 bet on the Bruins to win the Stanley Cup.
Approximately a 90-minute drive away in Boston, a similar scene was playing out at Encore Boston Harbor.
A Who’s Who of Boston dignitaries were in attendance at the resort casino to mark the official unveiling of the WynnBET Sportsbook, an expansive area adjacent to the casino floor featuring a 123-foot-long video wall, 10 betting windows, and over 100 kiosks.
Patriots legends Julian Edelman and Ty Law were among those who placed ceremonial bets, with both putting their money on the Celtics to win the NBA title.
A third casino in Massachusetts, Plainridge Park, hosted its own ceremony later in the day to mark the opening of the Barstool Sportsbook in partnership with PENN Entertainment.
While the January 31 launch was strictly for retail sportsbooks, online sports betting is on track to go live in Massachusetts in time for the NCAA basketball tournament in March.