The sports betting scene in New England is undergoing rapid transformations. Just last week, Rhode Island inaugurated its first sportsbook, and today marks the launch of its second one. MGM Springfield is also eagerly vying to join Massachusetts in offering sports betting options.
Furthermore, the majority of lawmakers in New England seem to be in favor of the notion to legalize and establish regulations for sports betting in the year 2019.
RI sports betting
On November 26, the Twin River Casino in Lincoln, RI introduced sports betting. The casino’s third floor now houses a temporary sportsbook, located within its renovated and smoke-free racebook. The operation is being managed by a collaboration between the Rhode Island Lottery, leading US sports betting operator William Hill, and software provider IGT.
IGT partners with the casino and lottery as their official sportsbook, while William Hill offers sports-betting services and provides odds, among other offerings.
Meanwhile, construction of an interactive, lounge-style sportsbook on the second floor of Twin River Casino has already commenced. The permanent area will feature comfortable seating and extra television screens for an enhanced game viewing experience. The launch is scheduled for mid-December as per the plans.
Starting today, Twin River Tiverton Casino and Hotel in Tiverton, Rhode Island, is accepting bets through kiosks. This casino, alongside Rhode Island’s other casino, has been functioning since September 1.
Rhode Island takes a significant lead in the New England market, thanks to Governor Gina Raimando’s approval of the state’s sports betting bill in June, followed by Twin River’s swift response.
The state must be hopeful that sports bettors from nearby states such as Massachusetts and Connecticut will place some bets in Rhode Island before those states establish their own sports betting markets, as regulators are currently working on it.
The launch of sports betting in Connecticut has been postponed to a later date in 2019 due to ongoing negotiations with tribal casinos.
Massachusetts lawmakers have a look
The legislators in Massachusetts have been examining the legislation regarding sports betting in the state, but so far, no progress has been made in passing it.
In 2019, MGM Resorts appears to be fully prepared to make a strong effort after successfully launching MGM Springfield, the first comprehensive casino in the state.
MGM Resorts is fully embracing sports betting, evident from its recent sponsorship deals with the NBA, NHL, and MLB. With an eye on Massachusetts, the company is eager to capitalize on the advantages of these agreements in the near future.
Last week, a spokesperson from MGM expressed their readiness to assist Massachusetts legislators in any way possible, as stated in a statement given to The Boston Herald.
We anticipate that Massachusetts will contemplate legalization and are eager to collaborate with policymakers on crafting legislation that safeguards consumers, eliminates the black market, and bolsters the state’s economy with increased tax revenues and other economic advantages.
The Herald reports that talks have already commenced, with operators and regulators aiming for a launch in September 2019, coinciding perfectly with the upcoming NFL season.
One possible holdup
The only potential obstacle is securing consensus among the local industry regarding the authorization of online and mobile sports betting. Interestingly, DraftKings Sportsbook, the leading player in the New Jersey sports betting market, is headquartered in Boston.
DraftKings aims to advocate for online and mobile betting from the comfort of home, while casinos may advocate for restricting betting to licensed gaming companies and their physical establishments exclusively.
Rev. Richard McGowan, a gaming expert from Boston College, stated that regardless of the situation, it is inevitable that Massachusetts will witness a significant outflow of money towards Rhode Island. Consequently, the Massachusetts legislature will face increasing pressure to promptly address the issue of sports betting.
The rest of New England
Following his re-election in November, New Hampshire Senator Lou D’Allesandro has affirmed his commitment to introducing a bill to legalize sports betting in the state during the upcoming legislative session in January.
It has been reported that Maine plans to introduce legislation for sports betting in the coming year. On the other hand, Vermont Governor Phil Scott has expressed uncertainty about implementing sports betting in the state. Although he is open to hearing arguments, Governor Scott does not view sports betting as a solution to Vermont’s fiscal challenges.
If things continue at their current pace, it is highly likely that almost all of New England will have legalized sports betting by the start of the 2019 NFL season.
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