Online sports betting is live in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts as of March 10, 2023.
Here’s a look at what to expect for bettors in the Bay State.
Is Online Sports Betting Legal in Massachusetts?
Yes, online sports betting was legalized in Massachusetts as of August 10, 2022, and exactly seven months later the practice became operational in the Bay State.
Back in October 2022, there were 23 operators that applied for licensing in Massachusetts, including prominent names like DraftKings, FanDuel, and Caesars.
You can feel safe and secure depositing your money through the many banking methods available. There are also numerous promotions and welcome bonuses to kick-start your sports betting venture and put you in a position to be successful.
Each of these betting sites will be regulated by the Massachusetts Gaming Commission (MGC), which also oversees the retail casinos within the state.
When Are Online Sportsbooks Launching in Massachusetts?
The Massachusetts online sports betting launch date officially was March 10, 2023. Among the sportsbooks that began operation that day were:
- BetMGM Sportsbook
- DraftKings Sportsbook
- FanDuel Sportsbook
- Caesars Sportsbook
Other Possible Sportsbooks in Massachusetts
- bet365
- Bally Bet
- Betfred
- Betr
- BetRivers
- Betway
- BuddyBet
- Clutchbet
- Easywin
- Fanatics
- Fanlogic
- Mohegan Digital
- Novibet
- PointsBet
- Unibet
- Underdog Sports Wagering
What Online Sportsbooks Are Coming to Massachusetts?
There were 23 operators to apply for licensing back in October 2023. We’ll provide a breakdown of six of those sportsbooks most likely to go live immediately in Massachusetts.
BetMGM Sportsbook
- Retail Partner: MGM Springfield
- New Player Offer: Risk-Free Bet of Up to $1,000
- Full review: BetMGM Sportsbook
- Launch Date: March 10, 2023
BetMGM is one of the most popular operators in the industry. They have a retail location within the state at MGM Springfield and unsurprisingly was one of the six sportsbooks that went live on the launch date.
The site features an expansive live betting platform along with competitive odds and useful promotions. You’ll get to enjoy a number of odds boosts, which will give you more value on your wagers.
The welcome bonus is among the more lucrative in the iGaming space, giving you a great opportunity to build your bankroll.
DraftKings Sportsbook
- Retail Partner: N/A
- New Player Offer: Bet $5, Get $150
- Full review: DraftKings Sportsbook
- Launch Date: March 10, 2023
Although DraftKings does not currently have a retail location in the state, the sportsbook is the most widely available online sportsbook in the nation and has a presence in the Bay State. DraftKings was founded in Boston and continues to have its headquarters there.
DraftKings started off as one of the leaders in the daily fantasy sports space before expanding into a sportsbook, which is now among the most popular.
One thing that separates DraftKings from its competitors is its robust selection of player props.
FanDuel Sportsbook
- Retail Partner: N/A
- New Player Offer: Bet $5, Get $200
- Full review: FanDuel Sportsbook
- Launch Date: March 10, 2023
FanDuel is widely considered as one of the most successful sportsbooks in the industry and the most popular sportsbook in the U.S. After starting out as a pioneer in the daily fantasy sports space, they evolved into the popular betting site that we see today.
They created Same Game Parlays, which are a fun wager type that allows you to combine picks from the same game. This has spread throughout the industry.
The interface is highly accessible with its organized layout and sleek aesthetic. It’s easily one of the most user-friendly apps around.
Caesars Sportsbook
- Retail Partner: N/A
- New Player Offer: Risk-Free Bet up to $1,000
- Full review: Caesars Sportsbook
- Launch Date: March 10, 2023
Caesars has become a titan in the industry, especially following the purchase of popular European operator William Hill. From lucrative bonuses and useful promotions, to a robust rewards system with cool perks, Caesars has everything you need as a sports bettor.
This sportsbook has become one of the most successful in the industry, so it’s highly likely that they’ll become operational right on launch date in Massachusetts.
Join Caesars to take advantage of some of the best rewards in this space.
Who is Eligible for Massachusetts Sportsbook Account?
You just need to be mindful of a few stipulations with Massachusetts sports betting. You’ll find them outlined below.
Do I Have to be a Resident of MA to Bet Online?
You need to be in the state of Massachusetts at the time of your bet to be eligible for a sportsbook account. This means that even if you live in MA, but are trying to bet in another state, it won’t work — you’d need to make an account within those state lines.
Sportsbooks use geofencing technology to determine that you’re in Massachusetts at the time of your wager.
What Is the Legal Betting Age in MA?
The legal betting age in MA is 21 years old. You will need to provide your information along with identification to complete the verification process. This is for the sportsbook to confirm your identity.
How Do I Join MA Sports Betting Sites?
Signing up for a sportsbook is an easy process. All you need to do is complete these steps:
- Click our “Get Bonus" link to get to the site’s landing page.
- Select “Join Now" to start the registration process.
- Think of a username and password.
- Provide personal information, such as your name, birth date, and address.
- You may need to include photo identification (ex. driver’s license) to complete the verification process.
- Once this is done, you’ll receive a confirmation e-mail.
- From there, you can click “Deposit" to put money into your balance.
How to Fund My Account
Putting money into your account is an easy process. Not only are there numerous deposit and withdrawal methods, but you’ll also receive your money in short order.
Deposit Options
Here are the deposit options:
- ACH/eCheck
- eWallet (PayPal, Skrill)
- Credit/Debit (Visa, Mastercard, Discover)
- Play+ Cards
- PayNearMe
- Cash at Casino Cage
- Wire Transfer
Withdrawal Options
While there are fewer withdrawal methods, there are still enough to keep you satisfied:
- Play+ Cards
- ACH/eCheck
- eWallet (PayPal, Skrill)
- Credit/Debit
Why Should I Join a Massachusetts Betting Site?
You should join a Massachusetts betting site for these reasons:
- These are safe and secure platforms that are regulated by the MGC.
- There are numerous banking methods to make payment a convenient process.
- You’ll find welcome bonuses to help build your bankroll.
- There are several Massachusetts betting promos that enhance your odds and provide more value.
- Betting lines are fair, aligning with the rest of the market.
Why Avoid Offshore Sportsbooks
- These are illegal and unregulated operators.
- You won’t find as many payment methods.
- It’s harder to trust that you’ll receive your winnings.
- They don’t have any mobile apps.
- The lines are often unfair and overpriced.
How to Download a Massachusetts Betting App
You’ll find that most online operators have betting apps for both iOS and Android devices.
Here’s how you join:
iPhone
- Access the App Store
- Type in your desired sportsbook
- Click “Download"
Android
- Open Google Play
- Type in the app that you want
- Select “Install"
If you aren’t able to find the app on either store, it will be available on the sportsbook’s website.
What Sports Can I Bet on in Massachusetts?
Here are some of the most popular sports to bet on in Massachusetts.
- Football (NFL, NCAA)
- Basketball (NBA, NCAA)
- Baseball (MLB)
- Hockey (NHL)
- Soccer
- Golf
- Boxing
- Mixed Martial Arts (UFC)
- Tennis
- Motorsports (NASCAR, Formula 1)
Betting Restrictions
You won’t be able to bet on any local college teams in Massachusetts, as well as any high school athletics. However, there is one exception for college teams. Bettors may wager on local school teams in tournaments of four teams or more, which means conference tournaments or March Madness.
Local Sports Teams to Bet on
Here are some local sports teams to bet on in Massachusetts:
- Boston Red Sox (MLB)
- Boston Bruins (NHL)
- Boston Celtics (NBA)
- New England Patriots (NFL)
- New England Revolution (MLS)
Bet Types Available
- Moneyline: Choose the winner of the game — the margin of victory does not matter. The favorite has minus odds, meaning your stake exceeds your payout. The underdog has plus odds, where you win more than you risk. The moneyline is based on the implied probability.
- Point Spread: This accounts for the margin of victory. The favorite is minus the points, so they need to win by more than the assigned margin. The underdog is plus the points, meaning that they can hit your bet if they win outright or lose by fewer than the allotted margin.
- Totals: This is where you bet Over or Under on an assigned total. It can be the combined score of a game, quarter, half, or period. It may also relate to a player prop.
- Props: These are game or player-based outcomes, such as total rebounds, points, touchdowns, and more, depending on the sport. You can either bet Over/Under (ex. Patrice Bergeron Over 1.5 Points) or select that outcome to occur (ex. Rhamondre Stevenson anytime touchdown).
- Live Betting: Live betting is when you place an in-game wager. The odds are updated in real-time to reflect what has transpired in the game. You can place a bet throughout the game.
- Futures: This is where you bet on an event that is settled at the end of the season. It often relates to player awards or team results.
- Parlays: Combine two or more wagers in a parlay for greater payouts. You just need each leg of your parlay to hit for your bet to win. These have a greater return on investment, but they’re more difficult to win.
Massachusetts Retail Sportsbooks
We can project retail sportsbooks to open up at the following locations:
- Encore Boston Harbor
- Plainridge Park Casino
- MGM Springfield
Can I Play at Online Casinos in MA?
Most sportsbooks are now offering online casinos in addition to sports wagering. Once it goes live in MA, you can expect to find online casinos at some of the operators that launch, such as BetMGM.
When Did MA Sports Betting Become Legal?
MA sports betting became legal on August 10, 2022. Below you’ll find a timeline of pertinent events related to MA sports betting.
MA Sports Betting Timeline
- May 2018: The Supreme Court overturns the Professional and Amateur Sports Protection Act, allowing each state the ability to legalize sports betting.
- February 2021: Governor Charlie Baker introduces a bill to legalize sports betting within the state.
- July 2021: The Massachusetts House approves HB 3993 to legalize sports betting.
- October 2021: Senator Eric Lesser states that the Senate has not yet come to a consensus on sports betting, causing a roadblock to its progress.
- August 10, 2022: After support from Gov. Baker, sports betting is legalized in Massachusetts.
- March 10, 2023: Sports betting launches in Massachusetts with six sportsbooks beginning operation.
