On sports betting’s eve, Massachusetts regulators declare casinos “good to go”

Monday, January 30, 2023 10:00 PM
  • Colin A. Young, State House News Service

The reports came from Plainville, Springfield and Everett early on Monday afternoon: the state’s three casino-style gambling centers look ready to go for the 10 a.m. Tuesday start of legal in-person sports betting in Massachusetts.

Three members of the Gaming Commission fanned out across the state Monday to observe the “soft launch” of legal sports wagering at Plainridge Park Casino, MGM Springfield and Encore Boston Harbor. The regulators toured the facilities, inspected betting areas, and in some cases placed mock bets to ensure that things were functioning in keeping with the state’s betting law and the commission’s regulations.

After their respective walk-throughs, the commissioners linked up for a virtual meeting to share their observations and, ultimately, to give each property the final go-ahead to begin taking bets Tuesday.