Is Sports Betting Legal in Massachusetts?
Yes, sports betting has been legal in Massachusetts since Governor Charlie Baker signed House Bill 5164 into law on August 10, 2022. Since the law passed, the Massachusetts Gaming Commission (MGC) has worked out the regulatory details to allow both online and in-person betting.
While the laws were changed in 2022, it would take a few months before the first bets were placed. Retail sportsbooks officially opened their doors to bettors in January 2023, while the first sportsbooks went live in March 2023.
Timeline of Legal MA Sports Betting
- 2020 – After previous attempts at sports betting bills failed, 2020 saw more success. An economic development bill with sports betting inclusions gains the support of the House but fails to pass the Senate.
- 2021 – Further attempts are made to legalize sports betting, with 23 different sports betting bills on file at one point. While progress was made, an unexpected budget surplus killed off hopes for any of the bills to be passed.
- 2022 – A compromise is finally reached, and on August 1, the Senate passes the new sports betting bill by 36 votes to 4. Then Governor Charlie then signed the new bill into law on August 10.
- 2023 – The first licensed and legal retail sportsbooks open their doors on January 31 before the first legal sportsbooks go live later in the year on March 10.
Massachusetts Sports Betting at a Glance
| Massachusetts retail sports betting legal status | Legal and live |
| Massachusetts online sports betting legal status | Legal and live |
| Massachusetts online sports betting launch date | March 10, 2023 |
| Massachusetts sports betting regulator | Massachusetts Gaming Commission |
| Number of sportsbook licenses available | Up to 15 online |
| Total bets placed in first month | N/A |
| Sportsbook tax rate | 15% for retail, 20% for online |
Best Massachusetts Sportsbook Apps
Legal sports betting has only just arrived in MA, but you can already sign up and start betting at several betting sites. So far, six betting licenses have been approved by the Massachusetts Gaming Commission. However, up to fifteen in total can eventually launch in the state. Here are the top sites which you can access on your mobile to start placing bets:
- DraftKings – Best app for live markets
- BetMGM – Excellent variety of markets to bet on
- FanDuel – Most user-friendly app
- WynnBet – Excellent betting interface
- Caesars – Best promotions and bonuses
- Barstool – Lots of unique features
Why Choose a Licensed MA Sportsbook
Now legal betting has arrived in MA, it’s possible to easily find a safe and licensed sportsbook to join. However, people were still betting before the law changed, using offshore betting sites to get around the law. While you can sign up and use these unlicensed sites, doing so could put your money and personal information at risk.
Licensed sportsbooks are better because:
- They’re legal to use
- Regulations keep your funds safe
- Any winnings you make are guaranteed
- Your personal information won’t be sold
- Sportsbook profits are taxed and used to benefit the local area
There will be up to fifteen online sportsbook licenses approved by the Massachusetts Gaming Commission, meaning plenty of options for you to join. Instead of putting your money at risk, always check to see if a sportsbook is licensed before you join.
How to Choose the Best Massachusetts Sportsbooks
With a lot of sportsbooks already available in MA, it’s hard to know which one to choose. Thankfully, we’ve made it a lot easier for you to pick the right site for you. Based on our research of the best betting sites, this is a list of features to consider if you want to choose a sportsbook that offers a high-quality betting experience.
Reviews
While you can compare different sites yourself, it can be tedious and time-consuming to test them all out for yourself. We’ve made it much simpler for you to find the best sportsbooks, offering a detailed guide to each site in our sportsbook reviews. To find the best MA betting sites, all you need to do is check out reviews, each of which has been written up using data collected from licensed sites.
Bonuses
Bonuses and promotions shouldn’t be overlooked when looking for a sportsbook. These special offers can be claimed by all new signups and allow you to gain more value from your bets. Our research shows that all of the licensed MA betting sites currently offer bonuses such as:
- Risk-free bets
- Matched deposit bonuses
- No deposit bonuses
- Loyalty regards
- Odds boosts
Odds and Lines
Don’t forget to check the odds and lines of any site before you sign up. You want the best possible odds offered on the sports you prefer to bet on, as this means you’ll win more profit if your bet is successful. Finding the best lines can be a challenge, but if you use a site that gives consistently great odds and lines, you’ll find it easier to make consistent profits.
Sports and Markets
It’s always important to make sure that the sportsbook you join offers betting on your favorite sports. Not only that, but more variety is always good as it gives you more options. All the best MA betting sites offer the following sports, among others:
Aside from having options when it comes to sports, good books offer plenty of markets to bet on too. The best sportsbooks always allow you to bet on the following:
- Moneyline
- Point spread
- Point total
- Game props
- Player props
- Futures
- Parlays
- Same-game parlays
Usability
Usability is another important factor, as you wouldn’t want to sign up to a sportsbook that’s difficult to use. Creating an account should be as simple as possible, as should claiming bonuses, using the app, or placing bets.
Payments
Before you can bet, you’ll need to deposit funds, and ideally, this should be simple too. When looking for a new sportsbook, you should check to see which payment methods are accepted and whether the deposit and withdrawal process is simple and fast.
Customer Support
The best MA sportsbooks provide helpful and responsive customer service in case you ever have an issue while betting. No matter what your question or query is, you should always be able to get in touch with the support team and find an answer. You can expect some of the following contact methods to be supported:
- Live chat
- Email support
- FAQ page
- Social media
How to Join an MA Sportsbook
While the process of signing up to a sportsbook might seem confusing if you’re new to betting, it’s a lot simpler than it looks. We’ve created this quick guide to help you set up your account and get started:
- Choose one of the sportsbooks recommended by our expert review team
- Make sure you’re currently in Massachusetts, and then visit the site or download the app
- Create your account by providing the required personal details
- Agree to the site’s terms and conditions, then verify your age if needed
- Open the cashier page and choose your preferred payment method
- Make a deposit and claim the welcome bonus by following the instructions
- Find the event you want to bet on and choose a market to add to your betslip
- Make sure you have enough funds, and then enter your stake and confirm your bet
Massachusetts Sports Betting Promos Explained
All of our recommended sportsbooks offer bonuses to new users, and claiming them is normally as simple as signing up and making your first deposit. These bonus offers are almost always worth claiming as they give you extra funds to bet with or help you minimize the risks involved with betting.
According to our research, some of the most common MA promos include:
| Bonus | Example | Explanation |
| Matched deposit bonus | 100% bonus up to $1000 | Your first deposit is fully matched up to a maximum of $1000. |
| No deposit bonus | $25 bonus | Sign up and claim this promo with no need to make a deposit. |
| Risk-free bet | $250 risk-free bet | You can bet up to $250 as your first bet and if it loses, your whole stake is refunded as bet credits. |
| Bet credits | $200 free bet | You can use your bet credits in place of real funds when making a bet, adding them in your betslip. |
Bonuses are a lot of fun to use, but it’s important to note that they all come with terms and conditions on how you can use them. Before you claim any of the available promos, we recommend reading through the terms and conditions You can find full details of any terms in our reviews, but here are some of the most common things to look out for:
| Terms and Conditions | Example | Explanation |
| Wagering requirement/rollover | 25x | Wager the bonus 25 times before you can withdraw it. |
| Promo code | BONUS10 | Enter the promo code into the necessary box when making a deposit. |
| Minimum deposit | $20 | Make a deposit of this amount or higher to claim the promo. |
| Minimum bet | $10 | Make a bet of at least this amount to claim the bonus. |
| Minimum odds | -200 | Make a bet at these odds or greater to claim the bonus. |
How to Make a Deposit at an MA Sportsbook
When you’re claiming your cash bonus, you’ll usually need to make a deposit first. Before you start betting, you need to know how deposits work. Thankfully, it’s normally pretty straightforward to add funds to your account. You start off by choosing one of the accepted payment methods. Most MA sportsbooks accept a range of payment options, including:
- Online banking
- Debit/credit cards
- Wire transfer
- ACH/eCheck
- PayPal
- Paynearme
Once you choose your preferred payment method, simply enter the amount you want to add and confirm the transaction. Provided you have the money available, you’ll instantly have your deposit credited to your account. In most cases, you’ll have to deposit above a certain amount, and there may sometimes be deposit limits too. According to data we’ve collected on MA sportsbooks, all deposits are free, and the process is normally very simple.
MA Payout Guide
It’s always good to take profits occasionally, especially if you’ve just landed a big win. If you’re looking to collect a payout from your sportsbook, you’ll need to know how withdrawals work. The process is a lot like making a deposit, though you’ll normally have to wait a bit longer for your money to arrive. Here’s our quick guide on making your withdrawal:
- Go to the cashier and select the withdrawal option
- Choose your payment method from the available options
- In most cases, you can only make withdrawals using a method that you previously made a deposit with
- Enter the amount you want to withdraw, making sure it’s above the minimum
- Confirm your withdrawal and wait for it to be processed
Before you can receive your payout, the transaction will need to be processed by both the sportsbook and your payment provider. In most cases, sportsbooks will process withdrawal requests within two working days. Payment service processing times can vary. Here’s a rough guide on what to expect based on our research:
| Payment Method | Withdrawal Time |
| Debit card | 1-5 days |
| PayPal | 30 minutes to 1 day |
| Bank transfer | 1-7 days |
Most Popular Massachusetts Teams to Bet On
Massachusetts is home to seven major league sports teams, including some of the most successful teams in the country. We’ve found that sports fans in the Bay State are extremely passionate, and now they’re able to bet on all of their favorite teams. Here are some of the biggest teams in MA:
New England Patriots
Football betting has consistently pulled in the highest handle of any other sport, with fans placing a lot of bets throughout the season and especially on the Super Bowl. MA is home to one of the NFL’s biggest franchises, the New England Patriots. The Patriots have won the Super Bowl six times and made eleven appearances in the big game, a record for any team.
Boston Celtics
As one of the NBA’s eight founding teams, the Celtics have a huge amount of historical relevance to the sport of basketball. Over the years, they’ve also been one of the most successful teams in the league, winning the Championship an incredible seventeen times. In addition, the Celtics have the most wins in the history of the NBA, making them a very exciting team to follow.
Boston Red Sox
The Boston Red Sox are a founding franchise of the American League, having first been established all the way back in 1901. They’ve won the World Series nineteen times, the third most of any other team in the MLB. With their most recent win in 2019, they’re a strong side and are consistently fighting for the chance to add to their record.
Boston Bruins
The NHL may not be as popular to bet on as other sports, but it’s huge in MA. The Bruins are a much-celebrated team in Boston and across the rest of the state, with a winning record to match. Having lifted the Stanley Cup six times in their history, fans have a lot to get excited about, and you can now bet on all of their games throughout the season.
New England Revolution
A lot of soccer fans in the US prefer to watch international leagues, but the popularity of the MLS is growing rapidly. New England Revolution were one of the league’s founding members, but until recently, had never managed to win a major trophy. Recent years have seen a change in fortunes for the club, including a record-breaking season in 2021, where they won the Supporter’s Cup.
Massachusetts Sports Betting FAQ
Is online betting legal in Massachusetts?
Yes, sports betting online is legal in Massachusetts, and the first online sportsbooks went live in March 2023. There are up to fifteen online betting licenses available, and you can create your account and place your first bets straight away.
What are the requirements for joining an MA sportsbook?
To join a legal and licensed sportsbook in MA, you’ll need to be at least 21 years old. The state imposes restrictions on online betting sites to ensure they comply, so you’ll usually need to verify your age by uploading a copy of your ID before you can start betting.
Are college sports available to bet on in Massachusetts?
Yes, college sports betting is available. However, there are some restrictions. You may only bet on MA college teams if they’re taking part in a tournament such as March Madness. During the regular season, you won’t be able to bet on games involving MA colleges.
Is it safe to bet online in MA?
Yes, betting online is safe, provided you sign up to a licensed and trusted sportsbook. There are lots of licensed sites available in MA, and all of them have a great reputation for safety in the other states they operate in. Always check the license before you create an account, and use a secure payment method for maximum safety.
Can I claim bonuses when I bet online in Massachusetts?
All of the best MA sportsbooks offer bonuses and promotions to new and current bettors. You can enjoy bonus offers such as matched deposits, free bets, and more when you create your account and make your first deposit. You can find the best promos right here, and we fully explain every offer to help you claim them.
Sources
Author
Tom Edlin is a senior author and contributor to SportsbookPromo.com. He's been writing and reporting on the US sports betting industry for years and has crafted hundreds of in-depth reviews and guides.
