Sports betting in Massachusetts made its debut with a bang on Jan. 31, with celebrities and politicians present to witness the first wagers.
The state’s three casinos spent months preparing for the launch. In addition to ensuring compliance with newly enacted state gambling regulations, the operators also revamped their facilities to accommodate sports betting and attract new customers.
So, which casino has the best retail betting facilities in the state? We’ll help you figure that out. Take a look at the comparison of the casinos below.
Encore Birkenstock boston Harbor Sportsbook
The most lucrative of the Massachusetts casinos, Encore Boston Harbor in Everett, has the only sportsbook in the immediate vicinity of the state capital. Built-in 2019 by Wynn Resorts, the casino’s WynnBET Sportsbook is a spacious and sophisticated facility that rivals some of the sportsbooks in Las Vegas in terms of size. It showcases Boston sports memorabilia and historical photographs, adding to the overall ambiance.
Sportsbook Amenities
Encore Boston Harbor provides over a hundred WynnBET Sportsbook kiosks within the casino, available 24/7. Many are even in the parking garage area, which the casino calls “convey betting.”
In the main sports betting area, live tellers are available at 12 windows. There is Vegas-style theatre seating where bettors can view games on a curved 10-foot high, 123-foot long movie screen. More than 70 other TVs display additional games and updated game odds.
When the sportsbook is closed, customers can redeem their tickets at the casino’s Main Reception.
WynnBET Massachusetts Sportsbook also allows you to place bets on a mobile device and then generate a QR code for a betting slip. When you arrive at the casino, scan the QR code at a kiosk to place the desired wager.
EBH reported a sports betting handle of $370,881.75 on January 31, but it actually lost $74,320.15 that day—so gamblers did well.
Drink and food
Dining and cocktail options at the sportsbook include a full bar, Mo’s Shack, and Frank & Nick’s.
Mo’s Shack serves American cuisine like Angus beef burgers, fries, beverages, and cocktails. Frank & Nick’s serves Italian-inspired dishes like artisan paninis and meatball subs.
Hours
- Sportsbook: noon-2 a. meters. daily
- Gambling windows: nine a. meters. -midnight every day
Ranking
Due to its dimension, kiosk amounts, and facilities, as of now, Encore Boston Possess has the greatest standalone sportsbook facilities within the state. As well as, it was the only real casino together with retail gambling promos for your Super Dish.
MGM Springfield Sportsbook
MGM Springfield welcomed sports gamblers with a parade and a ribbon-cutting that included local and state politicians and members of the Massachusetts Gaming Commission.
The downtown Springfield resort casino serves western Massachusetts and is a short drive from Connecticut, making it a prime gambling destination for the greater Hartford-Springfield region. The casino has a renovated sports lounge and plenty of activities to enjoy besides sports betting.
Sportsbook Amenities
BetMGM Sportsbook at MGM Springfield provides multiple locations for gambling enthusiasts: 2 lounges with bars, and a sports betting area within the TOUCH Sports Tavern. The main lounge has theater seats and tables for viewers to enjoy the 45-foot viewing wall. It also has an enclosed wagering counter. Overall, the casino offers 18 self-service kiosks.
MGM reported a sports betting handle of $57,235.80 on January 31 and a revenue of $12,152.56.
Drink and food
MGM Springfield’s TOUCH Sports Tavern is a full-service restaurant with screens for watching games, as well as a bowling alley.
In addition, the casino offers various types of restaurants, a food court, and other attractions for guests.
Hours
- Monday-Thursday: eleven a. meters. -11 g. m.
- Comes to an end: 11 the. m. -midnight
- Saturday: 12 a. meters. -midnight
- Weekend: 10 the. m. -11 p. meters.
Ranking
While MGM Springfield doesn’t have nearly as many kiosks as Encore Boston Harbor, they have attractive, convenient sports betting facilities and top-notch entertainment venues for relaxing after games.
Plainridge Recreation area Casino Sportsbook
Plainridge Recreation area Casino within Plainville will be the smallest in the state’ t casinos.
Nevertheless , it nevertheless attracted sporting activities stars because of its retail sporting activities wagering start. New England Patriots story Rob Ninkovich made the very first at the casino’ s list Barstool Sportsbook.
Sportsbook Amenities
Plainridge Park Casino’s Barstool Sportsbook has 20 betting kiosks, over 20 TVs, and a bar. Like Encore Boston Harbor, the sportsbook also allows bettors to place bets on mobile devices, generate a QR code, and then scan the code on-site to receive a live ticket.
Plainridge Park Casino is renovating Flutie’s Sports Bar and transforming the venue into a new retail sportsbook facility. The opening is tentatively scheduled for the summer of 2023.
PPC reported a betting handle of $82,235.80 on January 31 and a revenue of $53,554.26.
Food and Drink
Gamblers have many options for dining at Plainridge. For fine dining, Slack’s Oyster House and Grill offers a steak and seafood menu. A food court has multiple restaurants and bars, including a burger joint, a lounge, a full-service bar, and a Dunkin’ for those who prefer donuts and coffee.
Hours
- Monday-Friday: 12 a. meters. -10 g. m.
- Saturday-Sunday: 9 the. m. -10 p. meters.
Ranking
While Plainridge doesn’t offer as many amenities as the state’s other two casinos, it is catching up. The addition of the cutting-edge sportsbook should put the casino on a more level playing field just in time for the start of the college football season. The casino’s proximity to Rhode Island is also a plus for attracting out-of-state sports bettors.