Massachusetts Gaming Commission (MGC) Chair Cathy Judd-Stein has called the launch of retail sportsbooks in the state a “major milestone,” and is looking forward to online sports betting following soon.
Three in-person sports betting locations in the Bay State – Encore Boston Harbor (WynnBet), MGM Springfield (BetMGM), and Plainridge Park Casino (Barstool Sportsbook) – took sports wagers for the first time on Jan. 31.
Ceremonial first bets were placed at each of the sportsbooks by Massachusetts officials and celebrities alike, including Speaker of the Massachusetts House of Representatives, Rep. Ron Mariano, and former New England Patriots star Julian Edelman.
Judd-Stein and other commissioners made trips to several sportsbooks throughout the day to celebrate the launch, where the Chair noted she is now looking forward to working towards the online sports betting launch day of early March.
“The launch of in-person sports wagering is a major milestone for the Commonwealth, the Commission, and the people of Massachusetts,” commented Judd-Stein.
“I am especially proud of all the hard work MGC staff and the licensees have dedicated to make this day happen, and I’m looking forward to continuing that work as we prepare for the launch of mobile sports wagering in early March.”
Pending regulatory approval, a fourth retail sportsbook could be approved soon in Massachusetts. Raynham Park recently partnered with Caesars Entertainment to open an in-person sports betting location in the state at the racetrack.
As Judd-Stein mentioned, a launch date of March is still being targeted for online sports betting in Massachusetts. The state’s gaming commission is continuing to undergo meetings to fine-tune the regulations for mobile sportsbooks in the state.
