Massachusetts Set to Launch In-Person Sports Betting on Jan. 31
Photo by: Joe Sohm/Visions of America/Universal Images Group via Getty Images. Pictured: Massachusetts State Capitol Building.
Massachusetts finally has a sports betting launch date.
Although online sports betting does not yet have a go-live date, retail sports betting is scheduled to launch in Massachusetts on Jan. 31 after the Massachusetts Gaming Commission met on Thursday and approved the start date for retail sports betting.
Three casinos will launch their retail sportsbooks on Jan. 31 — Encore Boston Harbor (WynnBET), Plainridge Park Casino (Barstool Sportsbook), and MGM Springfield (BetMGM).
Historically speaking, this is the quickest launch (after legalization) since the federal ban on sports betting was struck down by the Supreme Court in 2018. The decision to launch retail betting comes six months after Massachusetts officially legalized sports betting on Aug. 1.
Prior to the launch, state regulators are scheduled to complete the following actions before Massachusetts' retail launch:
- Kiosk software testing will be conducted on Jan.16.
- Operation certificates for casinos and other licensed retail locations will be awarded on Jan.27.
- A soft launch will be conducted as a final test on Jan.30.
- The three casinos can officially begin taking sports bets on Jan. 31.
The three sportsbooks tied to the casinos have also been granted three online licenses, although BetMGM was the only operator to receive a conditional license until they complete the necessary certification requirements. Massachusetts is also investigating Barstool amid responsible gaming and character concerns.
It has not been announced when a mobile sports betting date will be established.
Looking Ahead at Sports Betting in Massachusetts
As the 15th-most populated state in the U.S., Massachusetts is the second-largest state on the eastern seaboard to legalize sports betting betting behind New York.
The Bay State will follow Ohio as the second state to launch legalized in-person and online wagering in 2023. Maryland went live with online betting in November 2022 after retail betting launched in December 2021.
The Massachusetts retail betting launch will occur just in time for Super Bowl LVII which is scheduled for Feb. 12. Then, March Madness will follow a couple of weeks later.
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