MGM Springfield Sportsbook

With the possibility of MA sports betting becoming legalized in Massachusetts there are a number of locations that seem in prime position to take advantage of such a decision. When PASPA was overturned last year it was anticipated that there would be developments in a number of states and it looks like there will be Massachusetts sports betting in 2019.

The MGM Springfield Casino is likely to benefit from such a decision and is already well into their preparations for their own MGM Springfield Sportsbook. It certainly seems that is not a question of ‘if’ we will see MA sports betting, but ‘when’.

MGM Springfield Casino

The MGM Springfield Casino is located in downtown Springfield and was opened in August 2018. It already has a thriving gaming area and looks ready to offer sports betting as soon as legally possible.

The gaming area takes up an impressive 125,000 square feet of the total site and visitors can take their pick from table games including:

Blackjack
Craps
Roulette
Mini Baccarat
Midi Baccarat
Pai Gow Poker
3-Card Poker
4-Card Poker
Ultimate Texas Hold ‘Em
Criss Cross
Chase the Flush
War
Big 6 Wheel

There are also 2,550 slot machines as well as the 120 tables – in addition to the 23-table poker room.

With only two casinos of this size in the state the MGM Casino is perfectly placed to attract casino lovers as well as the sports betting crowd once the deal goes through.

What Else Is On Offer At The MGM Springfield Casino?

The anticipated MGM Springfield Sportsbook will complement an already impressive operation that has been popular with locals and visitors alike since its opening last summer.

The Springfield casino has six different food and drinks options onsite as well as an outdoor public area, a 10-lane bowling alley and arcade, a golf swing suite, an indoor pool and spa, and a movie theater.

The location in downtown Springfield is also perfect for visitors to take in everything else the city offers as well, so an onsite MGM Springfield Sportsbook could attract even more people, especially when the big events such as the Super Bowl are on.

Sports Betting at MGM Springfield

A bill has been filed by Massachusetts Governor Charlie Baker to legalize sports betting in the state but the MGM Springfield Casino has had plans in place for quite a while now for some kind of sports betting. Before they had even opened it had struck a deal with the NBA and WNBA in a gambling partnership. This forward thinking ensures that MGM will be ready to go with possibly exclusive betting opportunities once the bill passes.

More importantly, a deal has already been done with international sports betting operators GVC Holdings, who are home to Bwin and the parent company of Ladbrokes Coral. This would all suggest that the MGM Springfield Sportsbook is going to be run in a very professional manner.

Who is GVC Holdings?

The deal that MGM have made with GVC Holdings cannot be understated. GVC Holdings are a huge multinational, multimillion business that controls a number of gambling and online gambling operations.

The most important area of their business as far as MGM Springfield Casino is concerned is the online sports betting sections, namely Ladbrokes Coral and Bwin, as well as the existing casino gaming interests.

Ladbrokes and Bwin are well-known sportsbooks, both off and online, and this will only help push MGM Springfield Sportsbook to be one of the best in the area. The expertise and infrastructure already in place ensures that MGM Springfield will be one of the first to benefit from Governor Baker’s bill.

What Can Be Expected from MGM Springfield Casino Sports Betting?

As MGM already has a sports betting deal in place they should be able to offer a sportsbook as soon as possible. Whether this will include an online option in the form of a MA sports betting app remains to be seen. The bill does open up the possibility for online sports betting.

There are a number of states that already allow sports betting, with more on the way all the time, and it is likely that most locations will follow a similar pattern with what they offer. MGM Springfield Sportsbook will likely cover all major sports and sports events with NFL and NBA popular, especially in this particular area of the country.

But any sportsbook wanting to be successful will need to offer markets covering sports and tournaments from all over the globe, so expect prices and odds on tennis, golf and soccer. With the combination of a top of a range sportsbook and a state of the art casino, MGM Springfield could be in for a profitable year.

What Kinds of Bets Will Be Available in Massachusetts?

Without the bill having actually been passed, the future of MA sports betting is a bit unknown. But it is likely that sportsbooks, such as the potential MGM Springfield Sportsbook, will offer a wide range of betting markets and potential wagers. All the favorites will be available for customers, depending on the sport in question, such as:

Moneyline
Parlays
Over/Under (Totals)
Props
Straight wagers

With the amount of money already wagered in the US, including the millions estimated to be gambled illegally, there will more than enough customers looking forward to a sportsbook operation in Springfield. If the legalities are similar to other states, sports betting will be open to anyone over the legal age and in the state - not just Massachusetts residents.

MA Online Sports Betting?

Any Massachusetts casino operating a sportsbook will want to be able to provide online sports betting as well, and with a betting partner such as GVC Holdings, there would definitely be the expertise required to offer an attractive product.

It must be said the bill has not been passed yet so this is all assumption, but MGM Springfield will be able to build up an even bigger customer base if it is also permitted to operate an online betting service, potentially for both gaming and sports.

MGM Resorts already have a mobile app that covers areas of the business such as accommodation and nightlife at their resorts but a dedicated sports betting app would be ideal if that area of business is to be as big as it is in other places around the world.

Sports Betting in Massachusetts – What Happens Next?

The Supreme Court ruling overturning PASPA opened the door for any state to create its own laws regarding sports betting. There are a number that would seem perfect for such an operation given the existing situation covering gaming and casinos.

Massachusetts has land-based casinos that would definitely benefit from an in-person sportsbook and the MGM Springfield Casino falls into that category. And with online sports betting on the table, the sky's the limit for MA sports betting.

Governor Baker’s administration believes that legal betting would bring in an extra $35 million in tax revenue and that might be enough for the state’s lawmakers to agree to its implementation. The groundwork done already by Massachusetts casinos suggest that sports betting in the state could be a reality by the end of 2019.