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Boston's Morning Newsletter
Why you can't bet on the Super Bowl 58 coin toss (or Taylor Swift) in Massachusetts
Editor's Note: This is an excerpt from WBUR's daily morning newsletter, WBUR Today. If you like what you read and want it in your inbox, sign up here.
If you think today feels balmy, just wait until tomorrow. Parts of Massachusetts could get close to their all-time high temperature records for the day, which were set way back in, well, last year. Anyway, it’s a good time to get outside before you hunker down for the Super Bowl — and before we get some potentially messy weather early next week.
But first, the news:
I bet you think about me: For the first time this weekend, people in Massachusetts will be able to (legally) bet on the Super Bowl as they watch from home. And the options are seemingly endless. The Super Bowl traditionally spawns hundreds of “prop bets” on particular events — from the game’s MVP and first touchdown scorer, to the pregame coin toss and even Taylor Swift. But you won’t find some of the more obscure prop bets on DraftKings, FanDuel or any other sportsbooks in Massachusetts. That’s because regulators are strict about only game-related bets being allowed.
- What happened this week: That silly Super Bowl coin toss prop bet — allowed in Las Vegas and most other states with legal sports wagering — became the center of the Massachusetts Gaming Commission’s attention for a day. The state’s list of allowed bets doesn’t directly mention coin toss bets. So, FanDuel reached out to ask regulators what the deal is. “As you move further away from the game itself, what types of props are allowed?” commission lawyer Carrie Torrisi framed the question Wednesday, calling it “more of a gray area.” After a nearly hourlong discussion, the commission voted 3-2 that coin flips are a no — for now.
- So, what else is off-limits? Bets on the length of the national anthem, the color of the Gatorade dumped on the winning coach and basically anything fun that isn’t happening within the confines of the on-field football game are all prohibited.
- Shake it off: Bay Staters also can’t legally wager on any of the many prop bets on Taylor Swift, who — you may have heard — is dating Kansas City Chiefs star Travis Kelce. That’s because the Swift-related bets — What color lipstick will she wear? Will she get back back from Tokyo in time? — are really only being offered by unregulated offshore sportsbooks, which are illicit affairs in the U.S.
- For the Swifties: Boston-based DraftKings does offer some Swift-themed bets. For example, will the two teams combine for over 22 points in a quarter? Or will San Francisco 49ers quarterback — and “Anti-Hero” — Brock Purdy play well?
- Because these things
willmay change: There’s still hope for Bay Staters who really want to bet the coin toss in future Super Bowls. While most commissioners were open to the idea, the way to add a new sport or bet to the state-approved list is for a sports betting company to make an official request (and FanDuel was basically just wondering). “I am terribly disappointed because I do feel that they should be included,” Commission Chair Cathy Judd-Stein said.
Coming soon to Route 9: Bus lanes. Brookline and the MBTA have agreed to paint bus-only lanes in each direction on a short stretch through Brookline Village this spring. The yearlong “Gateway East Bus Priority Lane” pilot is meant to speed up trips for the 60, 65 and 66 bus routes. Lanes will be painted from the intersection of Station and Washington streets to the Boston border on Route 9.
- How will it affect my commute? Officials estimate the lanes will make bus trips through the intersection between two-and-a-half to five minutes faster during rush hour. However, the lane reduction is also estimated to slow down individual car traffic — particularly in the morning — by up to four to five minutes.
It’s over: Newton’s school committee signed off on a new four-year teachers contract during their meeting last night, officially settling the dispute that led to they city’s contentious 11-day teachers strike.
- ICYMI: WBUR’s Carrie Jung has an overview here of what’s in the contract — and the lessons learned from the strike.
Heads up: Parts of Dorchester’s Morrissey Boulevard near UMass Boston may be closed this morning through the weekend due to expected king tides. It’s possible the local I-93 off-ramp may also need to be closed. Click here to see the peak high tide times.
P.S.— There’s a new, free pop-up attraction open at Boston City Hall this month. Do you know what it is? Then take this week’s Boston News Quiz and test your knowledge of the stories we covered.
