EVERETT – More than 400 years after the Pilgrims first bet it all to cross the Atlantic, Mike Capone of Malden made Massachusetts gambling history Tuesday.

Capone was one of 32 patrons selected to make ceremonial “first” bets at the Encore Boston Harbor when its WynnBET-branded sports book launched at 10 a.m. Encore holds one of three land-based casino sports books that ushered in legal sports betting Tuesday, along with MGM Springfield and Plainridge Park Casino in Plainville.

Capone represented millions of Bay Staters who have waited a lifetime to bet legally on sports in the Commonwealth. Sports betting has a deep string in the state’s DNA. There has been sports betting in Massachusetts since there has been sports in Massachusetts.

Tuesday, the state finally got its cut of the action.

For bettors, this was Christmas, July 4, Thanksgiving, every birthday ever before your kids were born, and the Lunar New Year. All rolled into one.

Capone said being able to bet legally on sports was a welcomed change. And like so many others, he couldn’t quite fully grasp that it was happening.

“Surreal. Amazing. A good thing.”

Capone placed several wagers, including a proposition bet on Kansas City tight end Travis Kelce to score in the Super Bowl. The No. 1 bet at Encore was placed by Bill Dorazio from Tewksbury.

More than 30 states launched legal sports betting before Massachusetts. It took three years of wrangling on Beacon Hill and another five-plus months of regulatory drudgery to get here. There’s no firm date for mobile wagering. The Massachusetts Gaming Commission has said multiple times it will begin before the start of the NCAA Tournament on March 14.

The Massachusetts launch coincided with a resurgence of terrible officiating calls. LeBron James launched a wail heard round the world after he was hacked by Jayson Tatum without a whistle Saturday night. The King hadn’t been that upset since they played the national anthem.

The AFC Championship Game in Kansas City was laced with so many critical missed decisions and questionable flags that #NFLRigged was trending on social media Monday.

Sports faces a triple-witching of fans watching games on 70-inch 4K screens who share each missed call on social media, middle-aged refs trying to keep pace with the quickest athletes in human history, and the onset of gambling and growth of fantasy play.

Every missed call means the game is fixed – especially when you’re on the losing side.

New England Patriots Hall of Fame cornerback Ty Law was one of several “legends and champions” who made “first bets” at the WynnBET book’s betting windows. Law was joined by Johnny Damon, Cedric Maxwell, Angela Ruggiero, Shawn Thornton, and Matt Light. House Speaker Ronald Mariano (D-Quincy) led the in-house political delegation.

Law reminded us he always “bet on himself, period” as a player. He placed the largest wager of any of the dignitaries. Law backed the Celtics to win Banner 18 this season with $1,000 at +360. Law also wagered $240 on the Chiefs to win the Super Bowl, in honor of his No. 24. He played in Kansas City in 2006-07.

“This is Boston. I’m going to ride with the Celtics,” Law said. “Let’s win this thing and get my money.”

When it comes to officiating, Law recognizes and appreciates the job officials have to do.

“Officiating is part of the game but it’s human error. With the replays, they’re trying to limit some of the mistakes. They’re human. We’re human. Hopefully, they can keep it under control for the replays.”

Law’s former Patriots teammate Light said the NFL has made the game much too complicated.

The solution: Simplify the game and its rules.

“They’re trying to do five million things with these refs. These refs are human beings. They’re going to make mistakes, so let’s limit what they have to be looking for instead of trying to call a flag on every play,” Light said.

Less is more.

“The changes they come out with each and every year after their meetings. They’re basically saying, ‘How can we change the court of public opinion?’ Rather than: ‘What’s in the best interest of the game? They’re trying to make fans happy versus just legislating the game the way the game should be … Let’s make it easier for these guys. Let’s cut out some of this ticky-tack stuff and get back to playing real football.”

Damon wore his Red Sox No. 18 jersey, reassuring the local faithful that his heart remained in New England even after the economics of baseball pushed him to New York.

Damon experienced first-hand the humanity of officials many times. He was philosophical about Saturday’s whiff on Tatum, which triggered the King’s Tantrum.

“You can go back and slow down the game, but the Celtics won. LeBron’s probably the greatest who’s ever played, and unfortunately, you’ve just tied the game. LeBron’s passionate about the game and he wants to win. I had many bad calls on me and you get over it. You just hope it’s not in a championship scenario.”

With the onset of gambling adding to fan passion, Damon said he is glad he is no longer playing.

“We’ve seen all the movies in the past, but fans have always been upset. I play fantasy football, and when I see a player that didn’t perform, at least I’m nice,” Damon said.

Capone, too, accepts that bad calls are going to happen. It’s just a matter of perspective.

“It’s part of the game. You’re never going to change it – you have to hope you don’t get on the wrong side of a bad officiating call.”

Or live in Cincinnati.

Bill Speros is a Senior Betting Analyst for Bookies.com and writes the OBF Column. He can be reached at bsperos1@gmail.com.