New England Sports Betting Is Close to Reality, as casinos in Connecticut and Massachusetts prepare for eager bettors from all over New England. Soon, wagers will be legal in four states in New England, with Massachusetts and Connecticut added to New Hampshire and Rhode Island. But, first, let’s look at the progress in all four states.
How We Got Here
In 2018, the U.S. Supreme Court delivered a historic decision when it overturned the federal ban on sports gambling which prohibited betting in most states. Before that, Nevada was the only state in which a bettor could wager on the results of a game. Now, the legality of sports gambling is up to the state level of government.
Rhode Island Is First to Welcome Legalized Sports Betting
Well, over three years since that ruling, many states have either fully legalized sports gambling, or several more are in the process of doing so. For example, Rhode Island became the first New England sports betting state. In New England, Rhode Island debuted retail sports betting in 2018, with online/mobile gambling launching in November 2018. The Lottery quickly rescinded In-person registration at Ocean State’s two casinos, and sports betting revenue increased with mobile registration possible.
The Rhode Island Lottery will regulate and oversee the industry. Sports betting in Rhode Island is possible through the partnerships of William Hill and IGT, chosen by the Lottery, which will provide online and mobile betting onsite at Twin River Casino Hotel in Lincoln and Tiverton.
New Hampshire Joins the Fray
In 2019, New Hampshire was the second state to usher in legal sports betting. After New Hampshire online sports betting became legal, DraftKings quickly entered the market as the only sportsbook partner.
The Granite State laws allow for up to five mobile operators and ten retail outlets managed by DraftKings. However, this hasn’t hindered the results since N.H. ranks eighth in per capita sports betting handle with $37.32 wagered per resident among states with legal wagering.
The state launched mobile N.H. sports betting via the DraftKings Sportsbook app in early 2020.
Related Post – Comparing Rhode Island and New Hampshire Sports Betting.
Connecticut
Connecticut is on track to launch online sports betting apps by September 6, 2021, according to a “tentative timeline” provided by the Connecticut Lottery.
Amber Hoffman of GamingToday.com
Hot Off the Press!
First was the following announcement from the A.P., “With the NFL regular season kicking off September 9, the state of Connecticut took a major step closer toward legalized sports wagering, online gambling, and other new forms of betting after a legislative committee approved emergency regulations for the new gambling market. Connecticut now awaits the U.S. Department of the Interior’s expected approval of changes to agreements between the state and tribes…”
Recently, the Bureau of Indian Affairs approved the amended compact. As a result, Connecticut’s sports betting and iGaming will be ready to go soon. The second week of the NFL is the first scheduled weekend for open sports betting.
The CT lottery says gambling will begin early in the season. Max Reiss, Lamont’s spokesman, said the goal is to have all vendors start simultaneously, even if that extends into September, but that doesn’t seem likely.
It’s Game On!
The Amendment to Exclusivity
The agreement reached in March of 2021 amended the state pact that gave Mohegan Sun and Foxwoods Resort Casino exclusive gambling rights in Connecticut for almost thirty years. Here are specifics concerning online gaming and sports betting:
- It will allow the Connecticut Lottery, in cooperation with both tribal entities, to run sports betting,
- Under the agreement, the C.T. government will tax all online casino gaming, including online poker, at 18% for the first five years before increasing to 20% for the following five years.
- All sports betting revenue will be taxed at 13.75%.
- The Connecticut Lottery will have the right to operate 15 onsite retail locations and one online sportsbook. Two of the retail locations will be located in Hartford and Bridgeport.
- The C.T. Lottery will license Sportech (OTB) for sports betting in brick-and-mortar locations, not online. The 10 Sportech sites will be in Hartford, Manchester, Milford, New Britain, New Haven, Norwalk, Stamford, Torrington, Waterbury, and Windsor Locks. They will announce five more sites later, including one in Hartford and Bridgeport. Hartford’s XL Center is a possible location for the Hartford gambling venue.
Related Post – iGaming Will Put Connecticut On Top In New New England.
Concerns over Problem Gambling are holding up the process, specifically how bettors will pay to gamble online. Consumers can use credit or debit cards or pay using Apple, Venmo, or PayPal easy, quick, and touchless way. Easy payments can lead to excessive betting, the legislature’s primary issue in approving expanded gambling in Connecticut. Some legislators want a single gambler’s account linked to online gambling as a red flag. Like Massachusetts, Connecticut lawmakers want to get it right during what many feels were a rushed decision.
The Formats for Online Wagering
Three online gambling formats will be the basis for sports betting and gaming.
- BetRivers will have SugarHouse provide an online sports betting platform in the state in partnership with the Lottery.
- FanDuel is partnered with Mohegan Sun
- DraftKings is partnered with Foxwoods Resort Casino.
Massachusetts – New England Sports Betting Is Close to Reality
Massachusetts politics’ cautious, “get it right the first time” attitude may be stifling the legalization of sports wagering. NETG’s friend, Steve Ruddock, calls it “paralysis by analysis. “The support to legalize it is strong, but the means of getting it accomplished is still up in the air.
The Governor, Charlie Baker, has proposed his bill to allow for brick-and-mortar and online sports gambling, which boosted Massachusetts’ chances for sports betting in 2021. Massachusetts representatives amended and then passed it last month. Now it’s in the state’s Senate hands for further study.
The state’s three casinos are chomping at the bit. Last week, MGM Springfield and Encore announced additions concerning sports betting. Recently, Governor Baker pleaded to get anything approved.
MGM Springfield Additions
“If there is one question I get more than any other it’s when will we be able to place a bet at MGM Springfield.”
Chris Kelley, President and COO of MGM Springfield
As part of the casino’s celebration of its third anniversary, MGM unveiled two new luxury sports lounges, one designed for betting, featuring theater seats and an H.D. video wall.
- One of the new lounges is located on the casino floor and features a 45-foot H.D. viewing wall that can show 16 channels simultaneously.
- It can accommodate more than 70 people.
- The other VIP sports venue is within the TAP sports bar.
- Both opened at the casino past Tuesday, although sports betting would not be available at the TAP sports bar.
It is expected that MGM Springfield will use MGM’s betting format, BetMGM.
Encore Boston Harbor Opens WynnBET Sports Bar
On Saturday, September 4, Encore Boston Harbor’s new WynnBET Sports Bar will open Saturday, September 4, pending regulatory approval. Guests will feel a Las Vegas vibe with the following amenities:
- The location is on the resort’s casino floor
- the space will feature more than 60 televisions, a 10-foot high and 123-foot long immersive video wall
- also on display will be a collection of trophies, classic sports accessories, and a collage of historical images of local sports heroes
- A 15-seat full-service bar with tabletop video poker sits in the middle of the venue
- dining and lounge seating surround the space, including more than 40 VIP seats and reclining media chairs
- Shake Shack offers fresh, simple, high-quality food as a modern-day burger stand
- additional dining includes Frank & Nick’s, an approachable and casual concept. Guests will enjoy a delicious variety of Italian fare via counter service or grab-and-go.
- Guests will be in awe as live games and sports classics play on more than 60 T.V.s throughout the venue and on a 1,230-square-foot immersive video wall. While providing the ultimate experience. An extra-large spherical digital display will exhibit the top sports scores from around the world, and suspended sports equipment, a collection of trophies, and events will decorate the space.
The WynnBET Sports Bar will be open daily from 10 a.m. until 2 a.m., Frank & Nick’s will be open from 11 a.m. until 3 a.m., and Shake Shack will be open from 11 a.m. until 2 a.m. For more details, visit encorebostonharbor.com.
WynnBET is Encore Boston Harbor’s in-house sports betting format since it is used at other Wynn properties in New Jersey and Colorado.
New England Sports Betting Is Close to Reality at Plainridge Park?
Plainridge has always had a bit of an advantage over the other two casinos without live table games. It sits adjacent to the Plainridge Park Raceway and is part of the larger complex. Unfortunately, no official news of a deal with any sports betting operator to look after sports betting operations.
However, in other states, Penn National Gaming has launched its Barstool Sports-branded sports betting. Penn National, the operator of Plainridge Park Casino, owns and operates 44 casinos and racetracks in the United States and Canada. Barstool offers the potential to boost gaming activity at the Plainville slots parlor to compete with surrounding state casinos and the other two casinos in Massachusetts.
Since Penn bought a 36 percent equity stake in Barstool about a year ago, the gaming company has rebranded some of its physical sportsbooks as Barstool sportsbooks. In addition, it has launched a Barstool Sportsbook mobile app in Pennsylvania and Michigan. During a fourth-quarter earnings presentation, Penn President and CEO Jay Snowden said the partnership is paying off.
Barstool was first launched as a Boston company and maintained a strong following in Massachusetts. Attracting new gamblers from the young demographic that Barstool appeals to is a crucial expectation for Plainridge Park Casino and Raceway.
Summary
As New England Sports Betting Is Close to Reality, Residents of the Commonwealth could make various bets depending on the sport involved. This would include money line bets, totals, straight wagers, and parlays. The Commonwealth is trying to keep the sports bettors at home rather than go to other states. Residents are more than ready for legal sports betting and the three Massachusetts casinos. Meanwhile, the constitution State due south will probably have started their expansion, including “igaming.”
As Picard says in Star Trek: Next Generation, “Make it so!
Binbin