Legalized sports betting in Massachusetts took a big step toward becoming a reality on Tuesday. The House of Representatives approved the economic development bill known as H.4879, which includes a measure to legalize sports betting within the state. The vote was a landslide with 156 lawmakers voting in favor and only 3 voting no. The bill now moves to the Senate, which has until Friday, July 31 to sign off on the legislation. If they do, it then heads to Gov. Charlie Baker's desk to be signed into law. Baker has been an outspoken proponent of legalized betting in the past.
As legal expert Daniel Wallach notes, the sports betting bill includes several "firsts," most notably untethered mobile betting, an integrity fee for venue operators like the Red Sox, Bruins, Patriots and Celtics, along with revenue sharing with the leagues. It also includes a 15% tax rate. Betting will be allowed at casinos, racetracks and 5-plus mobile platforms. The Massachusetts Gaming Commission would be in charge of regulating the industry.
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Now we turn our attention to Wednesday's MLB slate. We have 13 games to get on today. Let's discuss a trio of games receiving sharp action from respected bettors.
For an updated breakdown of Wednesday's MLB betting action, be sure to tune in to the VSiN Market Insights Podcast with Josh Appelbaum. It will be posted at Noon ET.
4:05 p.m. ET: Arizona Diamondbacks (2-3) at Texas Rangers (1-3)
The Diamondbacks took care of business in Tuesday's series opener, edging the Rangers 4-1 as a -106 virtual pick'em. Today, the Snakes send Madison Bumgarner (0-1, 4.76 ERA) to the mound against Rangers ace Lance Lynn (1-0, 0.00 ERA). Lynn was tremendous in his first state of the season, throwing 6-innings of shutout ball against the Rockies with 9 strikeouts.
This line opened with Texas listed as a -135 home favorite and Arizona a %plussign% 125 dog. The public loves backing home favorites to begin with. Plus they see Lynn's perfect ERA. Enough said. Rangers all day. However, despite a majority of bets backing Texas, we've seen this line tumble toward Arizona, dropping the Snakes from %plussign% 125 to %plussign% 115. This indicates respected pro money coming in on Arizona. We're also seeing some smart money target the total. It opened at 8.5 with even -110 juice on both sides and now the under is being juiced up to -115, signaling liability on a lower scoring game.
6:40 p.m. ET: Chicago Cubs (4-1) at Cincinnati Reds (1-4)
The Cubs are on a roll. Chicago has won three straight, including the first two games of this four-game series. The Reds were the sharp play on Tuesday night, moving from -110 to -130 despite an even ticket split. But it was all for naught as the Cubbies won 8-5 as %plussign% 120 dogs. Chicago looks to keep the win streak going with Kyle Hendricks (1-0, 0.00 ERA) facing Reds ace Sonny Gray (1-0, 1.50 ERA). Both starters were spectacular in their season debuts, which sets up a stellar pitching matchup Wednesday night at Great American Ball Park.
The scuffling Reds opened as short -120 home favorites and the Cubs a %plussign% 110 road dog. Early public betting is coming down on Cincinnati to get off the schneid at home with their best pitcher on the mound. But wiseguys are riding the Chicago train and quickly hit the Cubs getting plus money, dropping the line from Cubs %plussign% 110 to %plussign% 100. Essentially, smart money has flipped this line to a pick'em price. As you'd expect with two studs toeing the rubber, we've noticed some sharp action target the under. The total opened at 9.5 and is now being juiced up to 9.5 under -120, signaling a possible drop to 9.
7:10 p.m. ET: Kansas City Royals (2-3) at Detroit Tigers (3-2)
A day after being crushed by the Royals 14-6, the Tigers rebounded with a 4-3 win last over KC night as a -107 pick'em play. In tonight's third game of this four game set, the Royals start lefty Danny Duffy (0-1, 4.15 ERA) against fellow southpaw Matt Boyd (0-1, 7.20 ERA).
Detroit opened as a short -125 home favorite and the Royals a %plussign% 115 dog. While Kansas City has value as a road dog with a high total (9.5), pro money has sided with the Tigers. Steam has hit the market, pushing Detroit from -125 to -135. Some books are edging closer to -140. Steam is considered an overload of sharp action at several different books, which causes market-wide movement across the board. The 9.5 is being juiced to the under at -120, signaling under liability. Some books are even down to 9. Getting the hook is critical so that a 5-4 game cashes instead of pushes.
Remember, the sports betting market is fluid and constantly changing due to action coming in. Stay up to date with the latest odds by visiting our free VSiN MLB Live Odds Page for Nevada and for other legalized states.
