Connecticut bettors expected to place UConn wagers in Massachusetts

SPRINGFIELD, Mass. (WGGB/WSHM) - Men and Women’s UConn Basketball have a real chance of going deep into this year’s NCAA tournament, but there’s a roadblock if sports bettors intend to put money on the line.

Western Mass News stopped by MGM Springfield’s sportsbook ahead of all the madness.

Vice President of Casino Operations Robert Westerfield told us, “Early on, we don’t get a lot of bets on the teams to win games. That’ll start tomorrow, but we’re seeing a lot of play on people winning the tournament.”

And our neighbors down south are two very likely tournament winners: the UConn men’s and women’s basketball teams.

For many longtime fans like Jake Goldrup, they have to go north of the state line to place their bets, with Goldrup saying, “I’ll probably come up and place bets. I don’t know if I’ll watch it here, but I will definitely come up and place a few bets.”

The UConn men’s team tips off Friday at 2:45 p.m., with the women’s on Saturday at 1:00 p.m.

Robert Westerfield claimed Goldrup will be one of many fans laying down bets ahead of time, adding, “If last year is any indication, it was packed with UConn people and they were happy because they were winning and making money, and I don’t expect anything less this year. We get the benefit of being across from Connecticut and UConn doing so well.”

That’s because Connecticut gamblers are not legally allowed to bet on state schools.

If in the Nutmeg State, you won’t see in-state collegiate programs listed on the odds table or in apps like DraftKings and FanDuel.

It was a rule in Massachusetts until very recently, and one that sports fan and avid bettor Alec Goodman has navigated, claiming, “I’ve seen both sides of it because I’m a Massachusetts resident and it used to be, you couldn’t place the bets in Massachusetts and you used to have to drive across the state line to Connecticut to place the bets. Obviously not on UConn, but just in general, so, you know, pros and cons to it, but I think being so close to the line doesn’t really change things. But, if you are in Connecticut, like deeper in the state and you want to bet on your team, you’ve gotta travel for it.”

According to Westerfield, people will travel, as he said, “Since Connecticut… you can’t bet on your teams in Connecticut, we get an influx of Connecticut fans, as well as the local people. It’s going to be really crowded and very loud.”