Latest Massachusetts Sports Betting Launch News, Retail Violations & a Potential Online Launch Date

Much has been made about the overall level of strictness with regulatory rules made by the MGC (Massachusetts Gaming Commission). Many of those concerns have become a reality after the launch of retail sports betting at the end of January.

One rule that has seen early violations is no betting on in-state college teams. All three Massachusetts retail casinos have had violations regarding this rule. MGM Springfield Casino is the latest to have a violation after apparently taking a bet on the Harvard Men's basketball team in early February. 

Due to earlier violations at Plainridge Park Casino and Encore Boston Harbor Casino, The MGC is delaying any adjudicatory hearings while punishments for MGM Springfield. 

Details on Massachusetts Sports Betting Violations

Fines for Violations at all Casinos in Massachusetts are to be determined. It will be interesting to see how harsh the MGC are with their fines, as these are the first violations to be addressed in Massachusetts. 

Encore Boston Harbor Violation

The WynnBet Sportsbook at Encore Boston Harbor had a single-game violation. The Digital supplier for Encore Boston Harbor had a Boston College Women's basketball game that was not on their banned list. Boston Harbor took a $70, 5-leg parlay bet at one of their digital kiosks. Once the violation was noticed, Boston Harbor voided the Boston College leg of the parlay.

Plainridge Park Casino Violation

The Barstool Sportsbook at Plainridge Park Casino had 33 bets placed within a seven-hour period on Merrimack College Men's Basketball. The digital supplier for Plainridge Park Kambi was at fault because Merrimack was labeled a Florida college in their system. 

Digital Supplier Issues

It is unfair to point at the digital suppliers and say that these errors were 100% on them. The MGC needs to be clearer on many college betting rules within the state. For example, Massachusetts bettors cannot bet on any in-state teams or players except for a few situations. 

If a Massachusetts college makes the NCAA Tournament in college basketball, then bettors can wager on them. The MGC also says no bets can be made on Heisman Trophy winner futures but will be discussed further before the college football season. 

It is difficult for digital suppliers that are used in multiple states where the rules are simplified. In one state where the digital supplier operates, they can have every bet open but have to be very careful in a state like Massachusetts to ensure specific bets are not available.

Massachusetts Online Sports Betting Launch

One of the most exciting pieces of news to come out of the Commonwealth is that the MGC has recommended a Mar. 10 online sports betting launch. If that happens, it means a launch four days before the NCAA Mens Basketball Tournament starts. 

This could potentially match the new user sign-ups of the Ohio launch that happened one week before the College Football National Championship. Plans at the moment look as though there will be 11 online sportsbooks operating starting on launch day in Massachusetts.

Massachusetts Pre-Launch Bonuses

The Massachusetts launch date, being pretty firm, has allowed many online sportsbook providers to start sharing pre-launch bonuses. These bonuses can only be acquired by signing up for these online sportsbooks before the launch. 

We at WSN have worked hard to negotiate some incredible pre-launch and launch-day offers for our users. Our exclusive offers are as good as any sports betting news site in the world. We make it easy for our readers, too. Simply click one of our exclusive links in the offers listed below, and it will take you straight to the sportsbook to sign-up. Most offers do not even require a promo code; following our exclusive links will automatically apply the promo at sign-up.

Make sure to check back at the WSN Massachusetts page for all the pre-launch offers as they come in. In the meantime, check out our ongoing exclusive WSN sportsbook promo offers if you are in a legal state.