Casino City’s Friday Five: Massachusetts sports betting launch edition

Next Tuesday, 31 January, Massachusetts retail sports betting will officially go live as Encore Boston Harbor, MGM Springfield and Plainridge Park Casino will start accepting wagers with Wynn Sportsbook and BetMGM Sportsbook beginning at 10 a.m. We will still have over a month to wait for mobile sports betting to launch, but there has been some progress made on that front as well.

Before we dive into that, we also have a six-figure jackpot from Las Vegas, another new sportsbook unveiled, a casino opening, and Super Bowl news from Sin City.

Let’s start this week off with a lucky winner:

5. Caesars Palace awards six-figure slot jackpot
Last Sunday morning, a Caesars Rewards Seven Stars member hit a $125,000 jackpot playing slots at Caesars Palace on the Las Vegas Strip.

Congrats to this lucky @CaesarsRewards guest who hit a $125,000 #Jackpot!

21+. Gambling problem? Call 800-522-4700. pic.twitter.com/60OkvU8y9F
— Caesars Palace (@CaesarsPalace) January 25, 2023

4. Potawatomi Casino in Milwaukee set to open permanent sportsbook
Construction will begin soon on Potawatomi Hotel & Casino’s permanent sportsbook, set to replace the Northern Lights Theater and the Fire Pit Sports Bar & Grill at the Milwaukee property.

In the coming weeks and throughout construction of the sportsbook, the casino will provide guests two locations, with 17 kiosks between them open 24 hours a day, to place bets on their favorite teams.

Construction of the sportsbook comes in the midst of the property’s $100 million renovation to its second level, expected to be completed in phases during the summer and fall of 2023.

3. Rivers Casino Portsmouth celebrates grand opening
Rivers Casino Portsmouth opened its doors for the first time on 23 January, making history as the Commonwealth of Virginia’s first full-service permanent casino.

Guests in attendance were among the first to experience the casino’s 1,446 slot machines, 57 table games, 24 poker tables and a selection of dining and entertainment options.

Rivers Casino Portsmouth will also provide guests with live and virtual entertainment such as BetRivers Sportsbook, Topgolf Swing Suite, and The Sound Bar.

The Event Center, a 25,000 square-foot multipurpose grand hall and reception area, is now accepting reservations for weddings, corporate events, meetings, and more.

What a day for Portsmouth and the 757! There was no shortage of fun and celebration at yesterday's Grand Opening. The hottest slots, most exciting table games, live entertainment and more– all at Rivers Casino Portsmouth!

Gambling Problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER. pic.twitter.com/sDJLeSXpLx
— Rivers Casino Portsmouth (@RiversCasinoVA) January 24, 2023

2. Las Vegas gears up to party for Super Bowl LVII
Las Vegas is planning to double down for the biggest football game of the year. With a selection of viewing opportunities, Sin City is ready to celebrate Super Bowl LVII action on Sunday, 12 February.

Below is just a taste of what Las Vegas will offer football fans in two weeks:

The Cosmopolitan of Las Vegas will present viewing opportunities throughout the resort. The Barbershop Cuts & Cocktails offers seating in its Prohibition-inspired lounge, with access to a buffet of gameday fare and its cocktail menu. The resort also features a watch party at CliQue Bar & Lounge, which offers a gameday menu and craft cocktails.

Resorts World Las Vegas will offer viewing opportunities at several venues. Carversteak features 70 feet of LCD screens and a sound system, in addition to a menu of gameday favorites, a selection of premium beverages and bottle service upgrades. Fans can also find Super Bowl LVII food and drink at Caviar Bar, which is equipped with two big screens for viewing the action.

Where will you be when the biggest sporting event of the year kicks off??? Resorts World Las Vegas has you covered with luxury dining venues, social gaming spaces, lounges and entertainment options that are sure to excite the most seasoned sporting enthusiasts. pic.twitter.com/gQuqXpU2yN
— Resorts World Las Vegas (@ResortsWorldLV) January 17, 2023

Circa Resort & Casino will host three events, including watch parties in the world’s largest sportsbook, featuring stadium-style seating and a massive, 78-million-pixel, high-definition screen; Stadium Swim, the resort’s pool amphitheater with a 143-foot screen; and its meeting and convention space. Fans have a number of packages to choose from that feature everything from premium open bars and bottle service to reserved seating and signature stadium food from its restaurants including Victory Burger & Wings Co., Project BBQ and Saginaw’s Delicatessen.

In 2024, the hype will only increase as Las Vegas looks forward to hosting the Super Bowl for the first time at Allegiant Stadium.

1. Encore Boston Harbor primed for Massachusetts sports betting launch
The finish line is finally in sight as retail sports betting in Massachusetts opens for business on Tuesday, just in time for the Super Bowl on 12 February.

The Casino City Times team received a behind-the-scenes tour at Encore Boston Harbor on Wednesday and here’s what you can expect.

WynnBet Sportsbook, which opened as WynnBet Sports Bar in September 2021, is the big draw for sports betting at Encore. There are not only 10 windows from which bettors can walk up to and place their sports, but there is also comfy seating and over 70 televisions, including a 10-foot high and 123-foot-long video wall.

In addition to the WynnBet Sportsbook, there are 120 kiosks strategically placed throughout the casino grounds. There are, however, three main rooms of the kiosks as the folks at Encore Boston Harbor want to make sure it caters to all type of bettors.

One of those kiosk rooms is in the North parking garage. Sports bettors will be able to drive up and park in one of the designated 49 spots for a maximum of 15 minutes while they pop into the room and place their bets on one of the 20 WynnBet Sports Kiosks.

T-minus 6 days until Massachusetts #sportsbetting goes live and @EncoreResortBH is ready to roll with 10 live teller betting windows inside the @WynnBET Sports Bar, as well 120 kiosks spread throughout the property, including an “Express Sportsbook” in the parking garage. pic.twitter.com/Ww21kVX7eK
— Gary Trask (@casinocityGT) January 25, 2023