Place Your Bets, Massachusetts! Here’s The When, Where And How To Sports Betting

The times, they are a changing. (Thanks for that, Bob Dylan). First came the lottery, then the casinos, and now we have legalized sports betting. It took a while to pass legislature, but eventually lawmakers reached an agreement to create a new gaming industry.

Here’s the when, where and how to sports betting in Massachusetts, according to boston.com

• When to place bets In Massachusetts

  Official launch day: Tuesday, January 31 at 10 a.m.

  (In person betting only for now, with mobile options to come in March)

  Plans are beginning to take shape for sports betting in Massachusetts, as the state prepares to introduce public, in-person betting on Jan. 31. https://t.co/zY3g2v8bvE

  — NECN (@NECN) January 23, 2023

• Who can place bets

  Anyone 21 or older, with valid ID, can place a bet in person (for now) at any of Massachusetts 3 casinos

  

  (Photo by Christopher Furlong /Getty Images)

   

• Where to place bets

  • Encore Boston Harbor (Everett)
  • Plainridge Park Casino (Plainville)
  • MGM Springfield (Springfield)

  The booths are still roped off and the betting monitors blank, but a walk of the gaming floor at Encore Boston Harbor demonstrates the casino is more than ready to begin taking wagers on sports.https://t.co/QrpAWA7ZJ2

  — Boston Herald (@bostonherald) January 26, 2023

• How to place bets

  In-person betting operates with the standard “sportsbook” experience. You simply walk into the casino’s designated are for sports betting. 

  Boston.com reports: :On top of betting windows, each casino will offer kiosk platforms as well. Additional options may also be available. One example will be at Encore Boston, which announced that it will include an “Express Sportsbook” located on the first floor of the casino’s self-parking garage and will provide access to 15-minute parking for those who simply want to place a bet and leave. Depending on the casino, customers will also be able to pre-load bets on an app prior to arrival.”

  Big news! Our Barstool Sportsbook kiosks are being installed now, get ready for the ultimate in-person betting experience! #BarstoolSportsbook pic.twitter.com/4ZAqXUDqLL

  — Plainridge Park Casino (@PlainridgePark) January 17, 2023

• Mobile Sports betting

  In person bets are here. Mobile bets will have to wait.

  According to the Mass. Gaming Commission, mobile betting won’t begin until March (no date given).  They are purposely “staggering” the launch of the two divisions (in person and mobile), because the entire sports regulatory system had to be built from scratch.

  The Gaming Commission’s launch date will allow gamblers to place bets in person for the Super Bowl on February 12, and the NCAA basketball tournaments (beginning in mid-March).

   

• The Dos and Don'ts

  Boston.com reports the current format allows for these kind of bets:

  • Moneyline
  • Point spreads
  • Parlays
  • Over/Under totals bets
  • Futures
  • Prop bets
  • Live betting

  Sports allowed to bet on: (According to Colin A. Young of State House New Service)

  THE DO’s

  • Athletics
  • Australian rules football
  • Badminton,
  • Baseball/softball
  • basketball
  • biathlon
  • billiards
  • bowling
  • bowls
  • bull riding/rodeo
  • boxing
  • cricket
  • cycling
  • darts
  • disc
  • floorball
  • football
  • futsal
  • golf
  • handball
  • field hockey
  • ice hockey
  • lacrosse,
  • mixed martial arts
  • racing
  • netball
  • pesapallo
  • rowing
  • rugby league
  • rugby union
  • sailing
  • snooker
  • soccer
  • beach soccer
  • special events
  • swimming
  • table tennis
  • tennis
  • volleyball
  •  water polo

  DONT’s

  • Betting on in-state college sports is a no-no,unless the team is participating in a postseason NCAA tournament.