Game 7 of the Eastern Conference Finals was a disappointment for the Boston Celtics and their fans, which means things didn’t fare well for Celtics bettors in Massachusetts either. PlayMA checked in with Ma online sportsbooks to see what kind of Game 7 betting activity there was in Massachusetts compared to the rest of the US. Here are some insights from a trio of platforms.
Caesars: The majority of bets associated with any NBA game this season
Over at Caesars Sportsbook MOTHER, PR specialist Dominic Holden informed PlayMA that Massachusetts customers bet 13% more on Game 7 than they did on any other NBA game this year, including games not involving the Celtics. Additionally, in Massachusetts, an astonishing 73% of moneyline and spread bets were placed on Boston in Game 7.
During the entire playoffs, Massachusetts customers betting around the Celtics positioned more prop bets on Jaylen Brown than any other player, according to Holden.
BetMGM: 22% a lot more action around the Celtics
BetMGM research and analytics director John Ewing shared with PlayMA that 41% of Celtics vs. Heat Game 7 bets in Massachusetts were on Boston, compared to just 19% across the US. Interestingly, 35% of the money was bet on the Celtics nationwide, compared to 32% in Massachusetts. This indicates that many Celtics Game 7 bets in Massachusetts were small-money wagers, perhaps from fans who are casual gamblers putting down a few bucks to make the game more exciting.
WynnBET: Bad for followers, great for sportsbook
WynnBET communications and content specialist Travis Eldridge provided the following information to PlayMA:
- 61% of Game 7 pregame moneyline bets and 50.5% of handle were on the Celtics.
- 48.9% of Game 7 pregame spread bets and 53.3% of handle were on the Celtics.
- 71.7% of NBA Finals futures bets were on the Celtics.
- 64.6% of NBA Finals futures betting handle was on the Celtics.
It’s important to note the handle differences (both above 50%) at WynnBET compared to BetMGM Massachusetts, where, although the number of bets was still significant, the Celtics Game 7 betting handle was much lower at 32%.
The most significant takeaway from this data is that WynnBET will enjoy a nice boost in Massachusetts revenue from the numerous Celtics futures bets that settled on Monday night.
Matthew Baignade began his career as a content administrator at PlayMA in 2022. Prior to that, he spent six years as an athletics reporter and then deputy athletics editor at the Des Moines Register, where he won nine statewide journalism awards, including the Genevieve Mauck-Stouffer Award for Excellence in Iowa Small Media. As deputy editor of the athletics department, Matt oversaw the athlete insurance process and also innovated high school athletics coverage. Matt graduated from San Diego Point Out High School and grew up in Washington, D.C., but for some reason he is a Boston Celtics enthusiast. Long story short. Matthew also managed the Brace 26 vs. Prop 28 insurance in the political sports betting election fight in Washington, D.C. involving the Catena Newspaper and television.
