Off Track Betting in Massachusetts 2026

Off-track betting (OTB) allows horseplayers to wager on races without being physically present at the track where the race is run. Instead of traveling to a live racing venue, bettors can visit a licensed simulcast facility to place pari-mutuel wagers on races from around the country. In Massachusetts, OTB has long served as a practical bridge between local bettors and major national racing events.

As the state’s live racing footprint has narrowed over time, simulcast wagering has remained an important part of the betting landscape. For residents searching online for “OTB near me Massachusetts,” these facilities provide a convenient way to watch and wager on high-profile races like the Kentucky Derby or Breeders’ Cup without traveling far. They also offer a social setting where horseplayers can gather, follow multiple tracks at once, and place bets throughout the day.

As of 2026, Massachusetts has two primary locations offering simulcast wagering, reflecting a smaller but still active off-track betting presence in the state. A third longtime simulcast venue closed its betting parlor in late 2025 and remains temporarily inactive, further consolidating in-person options. Below, we outline where you can currently place pari-mutuel wagers in Massachusetts and what each location provides.

Horse racing in Massachusetts

Live horse racing in Massachusetts is limited to harness racing at Plainridge Park in Plainville, located roughly 30 miles southwest of Boston. The track is the Commonwealth’s only active live racing venue following the closure of Thoroughbred racing in the state. The meet typically runs from mid-April through late November, with just over 100 live race days each season. Racing is generally conducted three to four days per week, with post times and weekly schedules varying slightly throughout the year. While the official 2026 calendar is finalized closer to the start of the meet, it is expected to follow the same spring-to-late-fall seasonal structure.

Plainridge competes on the national harness circuit and regularly attracts competitive fields from across the Northeast and Mid-Atlantic regions. In addition to live racing, the facility offers year-round simulcast wagering, allowing Massachusetts bettors to follow major Thoroughbred and Standardbred events from around the country.

The marquee event on the calendar is the Spirit of Massachusetts Trot, traditionally held in mid-July. In 2025, the race carried a purse of $250,000 and drew elite open-class trotters. The same card also featured the $100,000 Clara Barton Distaff Pace for fillies and mares. These stakes races serve as the centerpiece of the Massachusetts harness season and remain the highest-profile events held in the state.

OTB locations in Massachusetts

As of 2026, Massachusetts has two active locations offering in-person simulcast wagering. In addition to year-round simulcasting at Plainridge Park, bettors can visit Suffolk Downs in East Boston, which continues to operate as a simulcast facility following the end of live Thoroughbred racing in 2019.

A third longtime simulcast venue, Raynham Park, closed its betting parlor in late 2025 and remains temporarily inactive, reducing the number of available OTB options in the state.

The remaining venues provide a social setting to watch and wager on races from across the country, typically featuring large viewing screens, food and beverage service, and seating areas for groups of bettors. For those who live farther away or prefer the convenience of placing wagers remotely, advance-deposit wagering platforms and online racebooks offer an alternative way to bet on horse racing without visiting a physical location.

Recommended offshore racebooks

While Massachusetts currently has limited in-person OTB options, not every bettor lives close to a simulcast facility or has the time to visit one. For those looking for added flexibility, offshore racebooks provide an alternative way to wager on horse racing from virtually anywhere.

Offshore platforms typically offer the same core pari-mutuel wagers available at an OTB, along with expanded betting menus for major events like the Kentucky Derby and Breeders’ Cup. Some also feature fixed-odds futures markets and specialty props tied to high-profile races. Wagers can be placed from a desktop computer, tablet, or mobile device, making it easy to follow race cards from home or on the go.

Another key difference is the range of promotional incentives. Many offshore racebooks provide sign-up bonuses, reload offers, referral programs, and horse racing rebate programs that return a percentage of wagers as cash or site credit. If you prefer remote access, broader betting menus, and added perks, exploring reputable offshore racebooks may be worth considering alongside Massachusetts’ in-person OTB options.