Massachusetts Online Betting Launch: MGC & Operators Prepare

• After a little over a month since retail betting became legalized in Massachusetts, online sports betting is slated to follow this week.
• BetMGM and DraftKings are among the operators preparing to launch, with the former striking a deal with the Boston Red Sox.
• Important details will soon be released as the Massachusetts Gaming Commission begins voting on house rules for mobile sportsbooks Wednesday.

BOSTON – Mobile and online sports betting is slated to begin in Massachusetts starting Friday. In preparation for this, sportsbooks and the Gaming Commission alike are putting the finishing touches on any regulations and preparations needed.

Earlier this year on January 31, retail sports betting launched at the three Massachusetts casinos. With March Madness right around the corner, Massachusetts can surely expect an influx of traffic to legal betting sites.

What This Means for Massachusetts

With Massachusetts already a month into legalized retail betting, the state reported that there was a 2% increase in wagers placed during February. While that is lower than they hoped, it is likely that the lack of online betting and accessibility issues with in-person casinos hampered that number.

Paul Grimaldi from the department of revenue also chalked this up to Rhode Island’s competing betting market that is much more established, already being regulated for a few years now. In terms of impact on revenue, the online sports betting launch is expected by Grimaldi to contribute to the highest grossing revenue of any year to date by far.

Grimaldi is also expecting a boom in wagers placed as March Madness approaches, specifying that the tournament was a primary reason for the March 10 online sports betting launch date.

Importantly, Massachusetts does not normally allow college teams from the state to be bet on, except when in a tournament of four or more teams such as March Madness.

One of the only loose ends left to tie up will be the house rules for mobile operators, which the Massachusetts Gaming Commission is voting on Wednesday and will soon be released.

How Sportsbooks are Preparing

Two primary sportsbooks, DraftKings and BetMGM, are preparing for the online sports launch by detailing some of their unique promotions and signing deals with professional teams, respectively.

DraftKings states that when online sports betting launches, they will open up markets to a wide variety of sports and events, including the ability to bet on local professional teams like the Boston Celtics or the New England Patriots when the NFL starts back up.

DK also said they will feature same-game parlays, special odds, boosted payout selections, player props, and exclusive promotions only for Massachusetts. One promotion was betting $5 for a chance to win $150, with another promotional code on the way but not yet released.

BetMGM on the other hand has prepared in a more major way, signing a deal with the Boston Red Sox to become their official betting partner. MGM casino and the Red Sox previously partnered to host the annual Winter Weekend at the resort.

BetMGM will also now prominently feature their logo across the Green Monster in Fenway Park.

With March Madness and the MLB season alike quickly approaching, Massachusetts sportsbooks will surely see tons of traffic and bring in massive amounts of revenue.

The brilliant timing of their online sports betting launch will bring much relief and excitement to bettors across the Commonwealth as they get ready to wager on their favorite teams.

News tags: BetMGM | Boston Celtics | Boston Red Sox | DraftKings | Fenway Park | March Madness | Massachusetts | Massachusetts Gaming Commission | MGM Casino & Resort | MLB | New England Patriots | NFL | Paul Grimaldi | Rhode Island