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Encore Boston Harbor, Plainridge Park Casino, and MGM Springfield have opened their retail sportsbooks today, marking Massachusetts as a new marketplace for sports betting.
The three operators are affiliated with WynnBET (Encore Boston Harbor), BetMGM (MGM Springfield), and Barstool Sportsbook (Plainridge Park Casino). These are the first three Category 1 licensed sports betting operators for retail in Massachusetts.
To celebrate the launch of retail in-person sports wagering in the state, the venues have scheduled a number of events, including first-bet ceremonies.
Here are some tweets from the first day of Massachusetts sports betting.
WynnBET Event Features Damon, Law, Maxwell, Other Boston Athletes
Sports betting officially launched Tuesday morning with fanfare at two of the state's casinos — Encore Boston Harbor and MGM Springfield. https://t.co/qAuAoM5N7k
— masslivesports (@masslivesports) January 31, 2023
Angela Ruggiero, Johnny Damon, Cedric Maxwell, Matt Light, Ty Law, & Shawn Thornton place their first bets at on opening day at @WynnBETBoston at @EncoreResortBH pic.twitter.com/Yl5Me3x359
— NBC Sports Boston (@NBCSBoston) January 31, 2023
Hey! It’s Captain Caveman (still bearded Johnny Damon) just before he placed one of the first bets at Encoire Boston Harbor’s WynnBET sportsbook.
Also at Encore Boston Harbor today: former Bruin Shawn Thornton; former Patriot stars Ty Law and Matt Light; Celtics legend Cedric Maxwell; three-point Celtics star Eddie House; USA Women’s Hockey star Angela Ruggiero; as well as Massachusetts Speaker Ronald Mariano and State Representatives Jerald Parisella and Aaron Michelitz.
The guys from Beyond The Monster were at Encore Boston Harbor, keeping an eye on a former Red Sox “idiot” …
Former Red Sox outfielder Johnny Damon at Opening Day from the WynnBet Sportsbook inside Encore Boston Harbor. pic.twitter.com/HbhFWpgMAp
— Beyond the Monster (@BeyondtheMnstr) January 31, 2023
The team from TOUCHER & RICH, one of Boston’s most popular sports programs, which can be heard on 98.5 The Sports Hub, was also on-site at Encore Boston Harbor.
We are here @Toucherandrich @DanLifshatz @KenGriffeyRules @FredToucher pic.twitter.com/rdyneT6AVg
— Joe Murray (@JoeyMurr) January 31, 2023
ESPN personality Sean McDonough emceed the opening event for WynnBET at Encore Boston Harbor.
Sean McDonough the emcee of @EncoreResortBH events this morning pic.twitter.com/8Pz5WMdWTO
— BetMassachusetts.com (@BetMAdotcom) January 31, 2023
Seth Medvin, Executive Director of Marketing for WynnBET, is also camped out at Encore Boston Harbor in anticipation of the opening day festivities at the new retail sportsbook at the Boston-area casino.
The calm before the storm! Excited to open up the @WynnBET sportsbook at Encore Boston Harbor later today! pic.twitter.com/BB2OjwAcTG
— Seth Medvin (@SethMedvinPR) January 31, 2023
Then there’s six-time Pro Bowl wide receiver Chad Johnson, now a brand ambassador for WynnBET, who plans to be at Encore Boston Harbor for its 4 p.m. opening celebration. “Ochocinco” seems to be making an offer to spring for a bet for his followers.
Any of my followers in Boston want to meet me at the opening of the @WynnBET sports book at Encore Boston Harbor at 4pm so we can place a few bets together❓(I’ll provide the money)
— Chad Johnson (@ochocinco) January 31, 2023
Massachusetts sports betting is live. pic.twitter.com/Ilfiqmu2BH
— Sammy P (@spshoot) January 31, 2023
BetMGM and MGM Springfield
MGM Springfield welcomed Boston Bruins legend Ray Bourque to make one of the first bets at their shiny new sportsbook. Come out if you’re near Springfield to meet a Hall of Famer.
Historic day in MA for @BetMGM @MGMSpringfield pic.twitter.com/okaKGIKvDY
— Elisa Richardson (@ElisaRichardson) January 31, 2023
This morning I had the pleasure of attending the official launch of sports betting at MGM. Among others in attendance was Boston Bruins legend Ray Bourque. Good luck to everyone placing their bets today, be sure to gamble responsibly. pic.twitter.com/HzZcvfKWeC
— Justin Hurst (@Hurst4Mayor) January 31, 2023
Are you kidding me? Check out this amazing “fly-through” video of the BetMGM Sportsbook at MGM Springfield. Yes, that’s comfy, spacious seating with dozens of screens showing sports action. Oh, and order food to your seat too.
Ready, Set, Bet! Taking bets starting January 31st
.
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Must be 21 years or older. Use your game sense. Helpline 1.800.327.5050 https://t.co/oUHHqKhTQU pic.twitter.com/awmHpzYiSY— MGM Springfield (@MGMSpringfield) January 25, 2023
Barstool Sports Opens at Plainridge Park Casino
Local news reporter David Bienick was on hand for the Barstool debut at Plainridge Park Casino:
Members of the state gaming commission help cut the ribbon to launch sports betting at Plainridge Park Casino. #wcvb pic.twitter.com/iYlYqMn0dD
— David Bienick (@BienickWCVB) January 31, 2023
And Sam Knox of WPRI 12 TV from Providence, was also on the betting floor on Tuesday:
Sports betting is now legal in Massachusetts.
At Plainridge Park Casino where former Patriot Rob Ninkovich is making a special appearance. More tonight at 5 @wpri12 pic.twitter.com/ZmGA6yxlmR
— Sam Knox (@SamKnoxTV) January 31, 2023
Here was a preview video of the sportsbook gaming floor at Plainridge Park Casino, where Barstool will take your wagers on the Celtics, Bruins, Red Sox, UMass, the Super Bowl, and much more starting today.
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
And here’s a nice look at the entry to Barstool Sportsbook, courtesy of local news reporter Matt Paddock.
Tonight on @wpri12 we speak with the General Manager at Plainridge Park Casino, previewing the opening day for legal sports betting in Mass. Bettors can begin placing bets at #BarstoolSportsbook here in Plainville after former Patriot great Rob Ninkovich does starting at 1PM. pic.twitter.com/LpDXMTplxX
— Matt Paddock (@MattPaddockTV) January 30, 2023
