Wanna bet? Super Bowl is state's first big sports wagering opportunity
Super Bowl Sunday is drawing near, and for the first time this year it comes with legalized sports gambling in Massachusetts. Encore Boston Harbor hotel and casino expects many wagers — traditional and otherwise — to be made on the big game.
Two other gambling destinations in the state — MGM Springfield and Plainridge Park Casino — will be open for in-person betting when it comes to Super Bowl LVII, which pits the Philadelphia Eagles against the Kansas City Chiefs.
Kickoff is set for 6:30 p.m. Sunday.
When it comes to what wagers people can actually make, there are many — including some you might not believe.
More:Mass Gaming Commission regulations on sports wagering
What kind of bets can be made on the Super Bowl?
According to WagerLab, wagers can be made not only on the game itself but also on such seemingly innocuous events:
Who will win the opening coin toss?
How many penalties will be called during the game?
How many songs will be sung at halftime?
How many touchdowns will be scored?
How often will certain celebrities tweet about the game?
What are the odds that a marriage proposal will occur?
WagerLab notes these more obscure bets as well:
How long will the national anthem last?
Which team will have a player that needs to use the bathroom first?
Will the broadcasters make reference to the spread (as of this writing, the Eagles are favored by 1.5)?
What product will be the subject of the first television commercial?
Who will the eventual Most Valuable Player thank first — his team, family or God?
Another odd bet people can make is predicting what color Gatorade will be used in the traditional victory bath at the game's conclusion
"Orange has been used in last two Super Bowls," WagerLab points out on its website.
Covers.com reports there will be more traditional bets that will be made, including which team scores first; which team punts first; which kicker will have more points; how many total punts there are during the game; who will be the Super Bowl MVP; and whether the opening kickoff results in a touchback.
About the locations for in-person betting
"We have 10 sports betting windows that have live tellers in the Sportsbook and over 100 WynnBET Sports Kiosks throughout the property," said Encore Boston Harbor spokesperson Bethany Gibbons. "There is no specific process. However, guests can utilize Bring Your Own Device, which allows you to build your bet at home on your phone and just scan the QR code on one of our kiosks. We also offer our Express Sportsbook, which allows guests to use 15-minute parking and place their bet right in the parking garage."
"We encourage anyone coming for the first time to learn more on our website," Gibbons added.
Jenny Holaday, president of Encore Boston Harbor, said her venue is "excited as the rest of the Greater Boston area to enjoy the first Super Bowl with legalized sports betting."
"We’re prepared for plenty of guests to come and enjoy our beautiful Forbes 5-star resort and look forward to welcoming everyone during this historic event,” she added.
Regarding a potential rush of gamblers this weekend, Gibbons stressed, "The WynnBET Sports kiosks are designed to help with the rush. We’re confident we’re ready for the big game."
MGM Springfield has a 125,000-square-foot gaming floor with about 2,550 slot machines, 120 gaming tables, a poker room and high-limit VIP gaming area, according to its website. It also features such outlets as Indian Motorcycle, Hannoush Jewelers and Kringle Emporium.
Plainridge Park Casino in Plainville states on its website that "with over 20 HD TVs, 20 betting kiosks and the newest slots, you'll have everything you need for a thrilling gameday experience... different types of wagers offered include straight bets, parlays, match-ups, futures, props, and in-play betting options.
"With Bet Builder, you have access to the latest lines and can easily plan and calculate your potential winnings on-the-go, using your phone or tablet. Simply log in, enter your bets, view the payout, and receive a QR code. Present this code to a Sportsbook teller or at the kiosk to receive your live ticket."
Background on Mass. sports wagering
After years of public debate, then-Gov. Charlie Baker on Aug. 10 signed into law legalized sports betting. Since that time, the Massachusetts Gaming Commission said it has undertaken "a vigorous, thorough and expedient promulgation process to stand up the sports wagering industry in the Commonwealth."
"The state’s three Category 1 Sports Wagering operator licensees (needed to open casinos in Massachusetts) —Encore Boston Harbor, MGM Springfield and Plainridge Park Casino — all planned out and executed a number of different events to commemorate the historic day for the commonwealth and its citizens."
On Jan. 31, the Gaming Commission hosted the first bets at Encore, cast by four prominent Boston sports figures — former Patriot cornerback Ty Law, former Red Sox outfielder Johnny Damon, former Bruin wing Shawn Thornton and former Celtic forward Cedric Maxwell.
Officials said online betting will soon be legal in Massachusetts.
LegalSportsReport.com indicated that online betting will likely arrive "probably March 2023, before the start of the NCAA tournament. The state gaming commission noted that other states have taken eight months (or longer) to launch sports betting and no official universal launch date has been announced."
This article originally appeared on Telegram & Gazette: Massachusetts casinos gearing up for rush on Super Bowl betting
