NFL betting markets, such as the NFL Draft and Super Bowl MVP, have been added to the catalog of available wager options in MA.
This past Tuesday, the MGC (Massachusetts Gaming Control) unanimously voted to have players award future bets and drafts in their list of approved MA sports betting markets.
Legalized wagering in Massachusetts launched on January 31 from retail locations throughout the state. Online sports betting will follow sometime in March 2023.
Massachusetts Sports Betting Specialities
Thus far, MA sports betting wagers that have been added to the catalog include awards, drafts, and special events like politics, Emmy Awards, The Oscars, Major League Eating, and more.
Nathan’s Famous Hot Dog Eating Contest also made the cut – thank God – but a few unique events didn’t cut the mustard.
With unanimous votes against, the following betting markets won’t be offered in MA:
• eSports
• Cornhole
• Chess
• Jai Alai
• Russian and Belarusian-sanctioned events
• Summer and winter athletics, such as the Olympics
There is a future discussion on the complete catalog to arrive soon. At first, it was believed the MGC would disapprove of wagering on award events.
Commissioner Eileen O’Brien presented a motion that events not determined via statistics should be excluded. However, O’Brien’s motion was denied with a downvote (3-1), as Commissioner Nakisha Skinner refused to vote.
Inside the MA Sports Betting Vote
Initially, Commissioners Skinner and Bradford Hill seemingly favored O’Brien’s motion. However, they would later change their minds on the subject. O’Brien commented: “People have shifted their views; I have not shifted mine,”
Chairwoman Catch Judd-Stein also voted in favor. “Concerning all of those involved in those judgments, there’s such a degree of scrutiny, and their job is to be transparent and move with integrity,” Judd-Stein said.
When discussing how MA bettors could wager on Super Bowl MVP, Commissioner Hill said: “I’d hightail it up to New Hampshire where I could.”
Bet365 Exits Massachusetts
Raynham Park will have a 30,000-square-foot brick-and-mortar sportsbook alongside its partner Caesars Sportsbook.
Regarding their online sportsbook parentship, they’re no longer working with Bet365. Chris Carney, the owner of Raynham Park, said that Bet365 “balked at conforming to some of MA’s gaming regulations.”
At the time of writing, there are 11 online sportsbooks active in Massachusetts.
