Five months after legalization, the first three brick-and-mortar sportsbooks in Massachusetts are set to open Tuesday. Sportsbooks at Encore Boston Harbor, MGM Springfield, and Plainridge Park will take their first bets at 10 a.m., and each location will feature a Boston sports celebrity as part of its opening day ceremony.
Massachusetts lawmakers approved legal sports betting on Aug. 1, 2022, and 10 days later, outgoing Governor Charlie Baker made it law. Tuesday marks the start of multiple launches in the state, as live digital wagering is set for early March and two more physical sportsbooks, one each at the Raynham Park and Suffolk Downs horse-racing facilities, are expected later in 2023.
The new law allows for five retail locations and up to 15 digital platforms. Every major operator will be in the state, including Boston-based DraftKings and rival FanDuel, both of which have initial approval for standalone digital betting licenses.
Here’s a look at where you can bet Tuesday in Massachusetts and any special events planned:
Barstool Sportsbook at Plainridge Park
Where: Plainridge Park, 301 Washington St. (Rt 1), Plainville, MA 02762
Opening day plan: First bets will be accepted beginning at 10 a.m., followed by opening ceremonies starting at 1 p.m., headlined by former Patriots linebacker Rob Ninkovich. Plainridge Park Vice President and General Manager North Grounsell will also be on hand.
Specials: The first 100 individuals to place a sports wager using their myChoice Rewards Card will receive $100 in free slot play.
About the book: Tuesday’s opening event will take place in a temporary space that will have 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.
We recently showed a sports betting terminal at #NRF2023 from our partner @SuzoHappNA.
A growing trend. Ohio has already flipped the switch.
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— Elo (@elotouch) January 24, 2023
BetMGM Sportsbook at MGM Springfield
Where: MGM Springfield, 1 MGM Way, Springfield, MA 01103
Opening day plan: Headlined by NHL Hall of Famer and former Boston Bruin Ray Bourque, live betting will begin at 10 a.m. Tuesday. Bourque will be joined by a variety of politicians and MGM executives for opening ceremonies that will begin about 45 minutes ahead of first bets.
Specials: None available.
About the book: The 4,500-square-foot sportsbook will feature 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
Where: Encore Boston Harbor, One Broadway, Everett, MA 02149
Opening day plan: First bets from 32 guests will be taken in the Kiosk Room at 10 a.m., kicking off a day of events. Former star athletes including Celtic Cedric Maxwell and Johnny Damon of the Red Sox will be among those placing the first bets at teller windows beginning at 10:30 a.m. Former Patriot Julian Edelman will be on hand later in the day.
Massachusetts sports betting. pic.twitter.com/D92IkLOI6i
— Gulf-SchemePark (@jackkim36) January 30, 2023
Specials: None available
About the book: The WynnBET sportsbook is located in the former sports bar at Encore Boston Harbor, though bettors will be able to wager all over the property, including at a drive-up location in the parking garage. The plan is for about 120 kiosks spread around the property. The sportsbook itself has a 10-foot-high and 123-foot-long video wall that wraps around the area that will house teller windows as well as a round digital ticker surrounding a ball above the center of the book. The ball can morph from a baseball to a basketball or other ball depending on the season. The location also has multiple bar areas, club-style seating, and easy access to restaurants, including Shake Shack.
