Online betting in sports-mad Massachusetts has finally begun. The highly anticipated launch of mobile sports betting apps has now made gambling on sports a lot more convenient for residents. Sports bettors can now place wagers anytime and anywhere from their cell phones, laptops, or tablets. It’s no surprise that sports betting has become so popular in Massachusetts, where the love for sports runs deep.
Massachusetts Governor Charlie Baker made history in July 2021 when he signed a bill into law allowing online sports wagering, race betting, and online casino games. The bill allows for three online sports betting operators, including DraftKings, FanDuel, and MGM, to operate in the state.
The Massachusetts Gaming Commission is now in charge of regulating online sports betting across the state. The Commission’s chairman, Cathy Judd-Stein, stated that “we want to make sure that everything we do is transparent and protective of the interests of the public, including the protection of underage individuals and those who might have gambling problems.”
The new law allows for betting on all professional and collegiate sports. However, wagering on in-state college teams, such as Boston College, Boston University, Harvard, and U-Mass, is prohibited. The new law also imposes a 12.5% tax rate on online sports betting gross revenue, with an additional 1% tax for events held at Massachusetts facilities. The state will use these taxes to support programs that provide public education, health, and transportation.
The first online sportsbook to launch in Massachusetts was DraftKings. The company, co-founded by Jason Robins, began in Boston in 2012 as a daily fantasy sports provider before expanding to sports betting in 2018. DraftKings now operates in 10 states that have legalized sports betting, including New Hampshire, New Jersey, and Pennsylvania.
DraftKings CEO, Robins, expressed his excitement for the launch of this new chapter in Massachusetts sports betting. “It’s a huge milestone for our company,” he said, adding that he expects sports betting to be a popular pastime in the state. DraftKings has already seen high demand for its online sports betting services in other states.
FanDuel also announced it plans to launch in Massachusetts later this year. FanDuel has been looking towards the expansion, with ambitions to introduce sports betting to new states. Their CEO, Matt King, said in a statement that “we’re eager to bring FanDuel’s industry-leading online sports betting experience to Massachusetts and provide another way for sports fans to connect with the teams and sports they love.”
With the launch of online sports betting in Massachusetts, MGM Resorts International hopes to take advantage of the opportunity to increase its market share in the state. The company has already announced plans to bring its BetMGM app to Massachusetts.
The launch of online sports betting in Massachusetts has generated excitement in the state’s sports-loving community. Sports fans can now easily place their bets on their favorite teams, players, and events. The convenience of mobile betting apps will save time and hassle for gamblers who don’t want to travel to brick-and-mortar locations to place a bet.
However, the launch of online sports betting has also raised concerns about the potential consequences of gambling addiction. Betting is an enjoyable pastime for millions of people, but it can quickly become an unhealthy obsession for others. As per the new law, all online betting apps have in-built player protection tools, which include self-exclusion and responsible gambling features.
In conclusion, online sports betting has finally arrived in Massachusetts, and residents can now enjoy the convenience of placing bets from their homes. Though the state has a substantial fan base and gambling culture, the expansion of sports betting comes with its set of challenges. It will be interesting to see how Massachusetts navigates these winning possibilities alongside the increasingly important issue of responsible gaming. Nonetheless, this new chapter in sports betting is a significant development for both sports fans and sports gambling enterprises in the state.