Plainridge Park Casino Sports Betting

In the previous year, Plainridge Park Casino made an official application for a retail sports betting license in Massachusetts. In December, the Massachusetts Gaming Commission (MGC) granted the facility a “temporary” sports betting license.

As of January 31st, Massachusetts officially launched its retail sports betting services. Consequently, a Barstool Sportsbook Massachusetts branch is now operational at Plainridge Park Casino.

The establishment becomes the third casino in the state, alongside Encore Boston Harbor and MGM Springfield, to hold a Category 1 license for retail sports betting. However, the facility’s PPC license is labeled as “temporary” since the regulatory agency is currently investigating its connection with Barstool Sports.

On March 10, the state of Massachusetts introduced mobile betting apps, allowing gamblers to utilize the Barstool Sportsbook MA app as well.

Plainridge Park Casino Games

Plainridge Park’s name may be somewhat misleading due to the inclusion of the word “casino.” Unlike two other resort properties in the state, Plainridge Park is solely dedicated to offering slots and harness racing, rather than a full-service casino experience. Nonetheless, there are still ample gaming options available to enjoy at Plainridge Park.

Slot Machines

At Plainridge Park, you will find over 800 slot machines offering a variety of reel-based and digital games. Some machines even feature progressive jackpots. The denominations for these slots range from as low as pennies per spin to as high as $100. Among the popular slot choices at Plainridge Park Casino are the following:

• Jackpot Inferno
• Crazy Money Double Deluxe
• Double Diamond
• Mr. Cashman
• Lightning Link
• Buffalo Grand

Electronic Table Games

Due to its status as a non-full-fledged casino, Plainridge is unable to provide live versions of traditional games such as blackjack, roulette, or craps. Nevertheless, it does offer electronic table games.

These machines enable multiple players to participate in a shared game. They are expansive setups, featuring multiple screens and a central console that utilizes computer graphics to simulate the ongoing game. The console functions just like a real-life dealer, ensuring a lifelike gaming experience. While most of the game unfolds through computer animation, certain choices may incorporate automated dice or roulette wheels integrated into the console to enhance the sense of realism.

Plainridge Park offers a range of electronic options for you to explore.

• Blackjack
• Craps
• Roulette

Electronic table games often provide players with the opportunity to place minimum bets that are lower than those found in live versions of the game. While we cannot guarantee the specific limits at Plainridge, these games can serve as a cost-effective way to enjoy activities like shooting dice, doubling down, or betting on black.

Harness Racing

From April to November every year, Plainridge Park Casino in Massachusetts hosts live racing events. These races feature standardbred horses competing in harness racing, where they pull a manned cart known as a sulky. The speed at which the horses can gallop is regulated, resulting in races commonly referred to as “trotting” races due to this limitation.

Unlike typical thoroughbred racing, harness racing requires jockeys to employ greater strategy. In addition to speed, the positioning of the horses throughout the race holds great significance. Interestingly, despite the differences, the same types of wagers available in regular horse races can also be made for trotters. Races take place nearly every day during the season, however, as the days grow shorter and colder, the start times tend to become earlier.

Simulcast Wagering

If you’re not interested in harness racing, don’t worry, there are numerous alternatives for handicapping at Plainridge Park. You can engage in simulcast wagering, which allows you to bet on various races from different locations across the country. This option is accessible throughout the year. The doors open at noon every day of the week, but the facility closes at 8 p.m. from Monday to Wednesday. On weekends, you have more time to enjoy, as betting is available until 11 p.m. on Fridays and Saturdays.

Every day, races are taking place all over the country, ensuring there is always an opportunity to place bets, even when the Plainridge Park track is not operating for the season.

Plainridge Park Casino Amenities

One important point to note about Plainridge Park is that it offers a slightly less upscale experience compared to other casino destinations in Massachusetts, such as Encore Boston Harbor. Although Plainridge provides a variety of food and entertainment options, it is worth mentioning that these options generally cater more towards a blue-collar clientele compared to the offerings at casinos in Springfield and Everett.

At Plainridge, the initial information you should be aware of is the available dining and beverage options.

• Slack’s Seafood Restaurant and Grill
• Flutie’s Sports Pub is temporarily closed.
• Grab & Game
• Slice
• Dunkin’
• Smashburger
• Home Stretch Food Truck
• Revolution Lounge
• Dark Horse

At Plainridge, Slack’s Oyster Bar & Grill stands out as the nearest equivalent to a high-end restaurant. Unfortunately, Flutie’s Sports Pub was not operational during the time of this evaluation. As for the remaining four dining options, they are all located within the food court.

Plainridge Park boasts two entertainment venues, namely The Loft and Revolution Lounge, offering a diverse range of performances. The Loft showcases live music and comedy acts, while Revolution Lounge provides a platform for local DJs and solo musicians. Additionally, Plainridge Park presents The Patio as a distinct outdoor music venue.

Mychoice Rewards

Plainridge Park Casino, being affiliated with Penn National Gaming, offers its patrons the opportunity to enroll in Penn’s loyalty program called mychoice. This program operates similarly to other loyalty programs, where each dollar spent at Plainridge, whether on gambling or other activities, earns tier points. These tier points serve two purposes. Firstly, they can be exchanged for casino cash (also known as comps) at specific thresholds. This casino cash can be utilized at any PENN Gaming establishment across the United States.

The more tier points you accumulate, the higher your tier will be in the loyalty program. Each tier grants you additional benefits that you can enjoy. The following are the different tiers available:

• Choose between 0 and 999 tier points.
• The advantage lies in the tier points range of 1,000 to 17,999.
• The preferred tier requires earning between 18,000 and 49,999 tier points.
• Top tier status requires accumulating between 50,000 and 199,999 tier points.
• The Owners Club boasts an impressive tier points tally of over 200,000.

At Plainridge, engaging in any activity allows you to accumulate points. Nonetheless, certain activities are more advantageous in terms of point accumulation. For instance, wagering $5 on Penn National slots earns you one tier point, whereas you would need to bet $40 on electronic table games to gain the equivalent benefit.

Responsible Gambling at Plainridge Park Casino

Penn National Gaming is known for its proactive approach to responsible gambling. As a Gold Level partner with the International Center for Responsible Gaming, the company consistently demonstrates its commitment. Furthermore, Penn National Gaming’s management committee, consisting of top-level executives, regularly engages with the ICRG to ensure ongoing collaboration and progress in promoting responsible gambling.

Furthermore, as mandated by the Massachusetts Gaming Commission, it is necessary for Plainridge Park to have a GameSense booth available throughout its operating hours. The GameSense program involves the presence of gambling counselors within the casino premises, offering support and guidance. These GameSense booths are equipped with a wealth of knowledge aimed at debunking gambling misconceptions and offering responsible gambling strategies. Moreover, they serve as a sanctuary away from the bustling casino floor, serving as a vital tool in breaking the psychological cycle that may affect certain individuals.

Plainridge Park Casino History

Plainridge Park came into existence after the shutdown of Foxboro Park, a previous harness track. Gary Piontkowski, who had managed Foxboro, put forward the idea of establishing a new racetrack in Plainville in 1997. Following a series of negotiations, Plainridge commenced operations in 1999, offering both simulcast and live wagering options.

Over the course of the following ten years, Piontkowski dedicated himself to advocating for the opportunity to provide slots at the location. In fact, he actively worked to oppose a slots bill in 2008 due to its exclusion of permission for racetracks within the state. Eventually, in 2011, his efforts paid off when the Expanded Gaming Act was successfully passed. Consequently, Plainridge became the initial racetrack to submit an application for the slots casino license under this new legislation.

Regrettably, Piontkowski encountered a setback when accusations arose regarding his unauthorized withdrawal of funds from the track’s finances. Despite the track’s records acknowledging the withdrawal, it was executed without the consent of the majority owners. As a result of this lingering suspicion, Mass Gaming rejected his application, leading to Piontkowski’s complete separation from Plainridge Park in 2013.

In 2015, Penn National Gaming made a swift move and acquired the location, transforming it into a thriving establishment with numerous slot machines and electronic table games. The track has since been operating under its current form.