Massachusetts Retail Casinos Prepare For Sports Betting

Written By Caleb Tallman on October 7, 2022

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With sports betting in Massachusetts on the horizon, some may forget that there is already some legal gambling in the state. While Massachusetts sports gambling is still awaiting launch, Massachusetts casino gambling has been around for a while. It is exciting that each of the state’s three casinos is anticipated to have retail sportsbooks in their facilities.

Here is the latest news on the three casinos and their sportsbook plans:

Plainridge Park Casino

The slots-only facility is one of over 40 entities to apply for a sports betting license. This does not guarantee that Plainridge Park will be approved for a license. However, as a current retail facility, having been directly mentioned in the state law as eligible for a license, Plainridge Park Casino stand a good chance at approval.

The facility has not yet announced any potential sportsbook partner. With the way New England laws are written, Plainridge very well could develop their own sportsbook not tied to a significant/current operator. Massachusetts laws allow for independent operators to potentially launch at a quicker pace than some of the bigger brands like DraftKings or FanDuel.

Coming soon: Tentative Launch Date For Massachusetts Sports Betting Announced

MGM Springfield

MGM Springfield, the first full-service casino to operate in Massachusetts, stands to benefit significantly from launching sportsbooks in the state. The MGM-owned facility is closely tied to BetMGM Sportsbook, all under the same company umbrella.

The MGM facility is quite incredible, and the addition of the first-rate sportsbook will only add to it being a premier tourist destination. On-site already is a Top Golf, bowling alley, ice rink, movie theater, and a hotel. It is also just an exit down from the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame.

Encore Boston Harbor

Encore Boston Harbor is a Wynn Resorts facility with over 200,000 square feet of gambling space. The casino has 2,700 slot machines, a poker room, 188 table games, and much more. Encore Boston Harbor is a gorgeous facility that is over 33 acres in total with a hotel, spa, salon, and double-digit restaurants & bars.

Being in the Wynn Resort family, WynnBet Sportsbook will be the sportsbook at the facility. That is, as long as their license is approved. WynnBet has been one of the many sports betting platforms to apply for licensure in the state. Massachusetts has a license set aside for the current retail facilities, so it would be a surprise for WynnBet Sportsbook Massachusetts not to be approved.

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Massachusetts Sports Betting Launch Anticipation

The Massachusetts sports betting launch is coming soon. On Thursday afternoon, state officials announced that the tentative start of mobile betting could come in February 2023. In addition, the three retail casinos already operating in the state could begin offering retail sportsbooks sometime in January, per the provisional timeline revealed earlier this week.

Other states around the country have already launched sports betting, but some of them have not had the presence of ready-made retail facilities. While most attention is given to desktop sites and mobile apps, retail facilities are unique. The environment and the incredible service retail sportsbooks offer can be a significant draw to the Massachusetts sports betting scene.