PLAINVILLE, Mass. (WPRI) — The start of the NCAA men's basketball tournament this week kicks off one of the biggest times of the year for sports betting. People filled up seats at the Sportsbook in Plainridge Park Casino Thursday to watch games for this year's tournament. "We got a lot of pe ople that are excited and they're going to be here all day eating, drinking, betting [and] watching the games," Ryan Blake, the manager at the Sportsbook, told 12 News. The Sportsbook in Plainville has only been open since September 2023, just one year after sports betting became legal in Massachusetts. Blake said tournaments like the NCAA are boosting business, which he says increases each year. "Your general bettor is always going to be here," he explained. "But this is the type of event that draws up a lot of amateur betting, right? People that have never made a bet before." According to the Massachusetts Gaming Commission, over $140 million in taxes were collected from sports betting in 2024. That figure is a $20 million increase compared to the year prior. Blake said Sportsbook will also be hosting watch parties throughout the tournament. Download the WPRI 12 and Pinpoint Weather 12 apps to get breaking news and weather alerts. Watch 12 News Now on WPRI.com or with the new 12+ smart TV app. Follow us on social media:                     Close Thanks for signing up! Watch for us in your inbox. Subscribe Now Daily Roundup SIGN UP NOW ...read more read less