Eric Uribe
By , Updated on: Mar 11, 2024 08:00 PM

Mar 12, 2024 12:28 PM

Massachusetts has approved the process to begin handing out sportsbook licenses! However, this has not yet happened, as we are still waiting for local sportsbooks to become operational. To keep things simple, bettors in Mass can easily and legally use offshore sportsbooks. We recommend the best ones that are available now in MA on this page! 

Massachusetts Sports Betting News

Mar 12, 2024

Massachusetts Sports Betting Regulators Officially Send Cease and Desist Letters to DFS Sites

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Feb 22, 2024

Massachusetts Sports Betting Officials to Take Action Against Daily Fantasy Sports Operators

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Feb 7, 2024

DraftKings Files Massachusetts Sports Betting Lawsuit Against Former Employee Hired by Fanatics

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Jan 11, 2024

Massachusetts Sports Betting Regulators Investigating DraftKings

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StateMassachusetts
⚖️ Sports Betting Law PassedYes
👶 Minimum Gambling Age18 for offshore sportsbooks
🌐 Online Sports BettingYes
📱 Mobile Sports BettingYes
🏦 Retail SportsbooksNot yet

With over seven million residents in the state of Massachusetts, Boston is the largest city with the massive sports following. Home to a slew of professional teams, and loyal ones at that, the legalization of sports betting is already bringing in significant revenue to the state in the form of taxes. It already generated $63.8 million in handle and $9.1 million in taxes just during its first month of operation.

Currently, all forms of betting are regulated by the state, including commercial and tribal casinos, poker, Daily Fantasy, horse racing, and the lottery.

Daily Fantasy Regulations

Massachusetts is one of the few states that allows Daily Fantasy betting, but it is regulated and there are rules to betting, including no betting on college or amateur sporting events, and a maximum of $1,000 in deposits a month. DraftKings headquarters are actually located in Boston, meaning they will be vying for one of those five online sportsbook slots.

Horse Racing Is Legal

Suffolk Downs is the most popular horse racetrack in the States, the other being Plainridge Racecourse. The previous owner of Suffolk Downs plans to open another horse racetrack in the near future as well. Betting on horses is legal in Massachusetts via Simulcast wagering. Click here for more information on off-track betting in Massachusetts.

Best Online Sports Betting Sites for Massachusetts

We have carefully reviewed hundreds of sportsbooks, and we have narrowed them down to the best ones that are legally available for Massachusetts bettors right now! These sites are known and trusted by the team here at Online Sports Betting!

  1. Bovada. The best overall sportsbooks for MA
  2. BetOnline - Great opening odds
  3. MyBookie - Amazing user interface
  4. GTBets - Top sportsbooks for Patriots' fan
  5. XBet - A great mobile sportsbook

Bovada

Bovada is the most commonly used online sports betting site that is available in Mass. It is well known and trusted. In fact, these thing go hand in hand. Because it has been so trusted for so many years, it has grown in popularity. Also, because it is so popular wit a stellar reputation, they work hard to maintain it. Their payouts are timely. their customer service team is excellent, and their odds are competitive. What's not to like about this Mass sportsbook?

Sign Me Up To Bovada

BetOnline

BetOnline is one of the largest online sportsbooks in Massachusetts. It offers betting options on all major sporting events including football, basketball, baseball, hockey, soccer and more. BetOnline was established in 1997 and has been offering sports betting since then. Their customer service team is available 24/7 via phone or email to assist you with any questions you may have. BetOnline offers a wide range of deposit methods including credit cards, bank transfers, eWallets, prepaid debit cards, and wire transfer services.

Sign Me Up To BetOnline

MyBookie

MyBookie has become the leading sports betting site in Massachusetts. How did they achieve such success? What does their future look like?  MyBookie offers live betting, mobile apps, and social media platforms to bettors across Massachusetts. They offer real-time odds, lines, and stats on every major sporting event. With over 40 years of experience under their belt, it’s safe to say that MyBookie has earned its spot as one of the best sites for sports betting in Massachusetts.

Sign Me Up To MyBookie

GTBets

You've probably heard of GTBets before, and, yes, they are available in Massachusetts!  They offer live betting on football, basketball, baseball, hockey, tennis, golf, MMA and other sports. Gambling has always been around, especially when it comes to sports. In fact, Americans spend over $400 billion each year playing sports. This includes gambling on the outcome of games involving Mass sports teams like the Boston Bruins or the New Englands Patriots.

Sign Me Up To GTBets

BetUS

BetUS is a new sportsbook that offers Massachusetts betting options on all kinds of sports!  The company was founded in 2012 and has since grown into a major player in the US sports betting market. In 2016 they launched their mobile application and now have over 2 million registered users. They offer a wide variety of bets from single-game wagers to season-long parlays. Their customer service team is very responsive and helpful, so you will have no problem betting on the Boston Red Sox all the way through the World Series.

Sign Me Up To BetUS
*For anyone curious about the legislation of other major sports betting providers in the US (DraftKings, FanDuel, BetMGM, Caesars, PointsBet, BetRivers, Fox Bet, and Unibet), it will be a while before we Massachusetts residents have access to these platforms.

A Brief Timeline of the Legality of Massachusetts Sports Betting

  • January 21, 2024 - Massachusetts achieved a record sports betting handle for the second consecutive month in December, with a total wager of $658.7 million.
  • January 9, 2024 – Eileen O’Brien, Massachusetts gaming commissioner, has been acknowledged as one of the "25 People To Watch in 2024" by the global gaming business magazine.
  • December 1, 2023 – While Michigan has prohibited sweepstakes casinos and lacks online casino regulation, Massachusetts has not signaled any intentions to ban such gaming.
  • November 3, 2023 - Massachusetts' self-exclusion program for gamblers saw 12% more signups this fiscal year, per GameSense.
  • October 3, 2023 - Massachusetts gaming regulator Crystal Beauchemin has been recognized as one of the top young leaders in the industry after being named to the prestigious "Emerging Leaders of Gaming 40 Under 40" list at the Global Gaming Expo in Las Vegas.
  • September 4, 2023 - The Massachusetts Gaming Commission has provided a temporary 60-day extension to sports betting sites in the state as they work towards compliance with recently introduced data privacy regulations.
  • August 1, 2023 - Massachusetts levied fines against three casinos on August 1st for illegally accepting wagers on in-state college teams outside of tournaments: Encore Boston Harbor ($10,000), MGM Springfield ($20,000), and Plainridge Park Casino ($20,000).
  • July 4, 2023 - DraftKings has submitted a $195 million acquisition proposal to obtain PointsBet's U.S. assets. PointsBet's Shareholders will first vote on a separate offer from Fanatics.
  • June 10, 2023 - DraftKings faced scrutiny for enabling unauthorized bets on the UTR Pro Tennis Tour in March. This prompted a hearing as the sportsbook allowed wagering on an event not officially sanctioned in the state.
  • May 5, 2023 - The Massachusetts Gaming Commission reported that online sports betting brought in $63.8 million in handle and yielded $9.1 million in taxes during its inaugural month of operation.
  • February 8, 2023 - Massachusetts grants licenses to three online sports betting providers.
  • January 31, 2023 - The state witnesses the launch of retail sports betting as three casinos embrace the first wave of in-person wagers.
  • December 30, 2022 - Barstool Sportsbook secures preliminary suitability for a sports betting license as approved by the Massachusetts Gaming Commission.
  • August 10, 2022 -A historic moment in Massachusetts as Governor Baker approves the legality of sports betting by signing Bill H5164 into law following extensive deliberations and rigorous administrative negotiations.
  • Massachusetts Sports Betting Timeline

2023: Online Sports Betting Goes Live

MA Sports betting has officially been launched. There are currently 7 US bookies legally operating in Massachusetts. You can still access any of the offshore sportsbooks that are available online. Accessing these online sportsbooks is a great option, as the odds available are far better, and their bonuses are bigger.

2022: A Bill Gets Through House

While the House of Representatives in the state has passed bills to legalize sports betting more than once, the Senate had yet to take it up. Finally, during the final hours of the 2022 session, the sports betting bill H5164 was approved by the Senate! A couple of days later, Gov. Charlie Baker signed the bill into law.

2021: Another Frustrated Attempt

Senator Eric Lesser has introduced the sports betting bill in the Senate in 2021. However, no amendments have been added, and it has not been introduced for a floor vote. It does not look like they have much interest in opening up the state.

With nearby Rhode Island having opened up its sports betting market, it is likely that many tax revenue dollars are going to this neighboring state. With others like New Hampshire and New York also opening up, Massachusetts stands to continue to lose its tax dollars if it does not change course soon.

Yes, sports betting is legal both in person and online.

Online sportsbooks are the only option for Massachusetts sports bettors for now but are a great option nonetheless. You can sign up easily and make a deposit and bet from the comfort of your own home. Top sportsbooks in the industry, like Bovada or BetOnline, are great for betting on the NFL, NBA, and any professional sport around the world.

Massachusetts betting sites

Massachusetts sports betting bill

Massachusetts became the third state in 2022 to pass a sports betting bill.  Governor Charlie Baker signed the Massachusetts sports betting bill in August, and the final regulatory framework was defined shortly after. Massachusetts sports betting law now allows for online and retail sports betting licenses. And as of May 2023, seven online sportsbooks have already gone live.

Betting on Massachusetts sports teams

Massachusetts has a large professional sports scene and pulls in fans from all over New England, allowing them to compete with fans from New York. The teams here are not only popular but have been successful over the history of US sports.

Betting on the New England Patriots

It’s no question that the New England Patriots are the state’s pride and joy when it comes to their professional teams. The Patriots have 11 Super Bowl appearances, the most of any team, and eight of which have been under the Belichick/Brady dynasty. In addition to that, they have 22 division titles and 6 league championships.

Betting on the Boston Celtics

The Celtics are the resident NBA team in Massachusetts and are one of the original eight NBA teams. Like the Patriots, they hold the record for the most NBA Championships with 17 – nearly one-quarter of all NBA Championships ever played. They’ve struggled against power teams lately, but hopefully, some shuffling and restructuring will gear them up to be a competitive team again.

Betting on the Boston Red Sox

The Boston Red Sox have a rich heritage in the MLB. They were established in 1901, and have won nine World Series - the most recent being in 2018. They went through a rough championship drought, the longest in baseball history, with 86 years between their 1918 victory and their 2004 title.

Betting on the Boston Bruins

The Boston Bruins are the resident NHL team, and are a part of the Original Six, as the league’s third-oldest team, and the oldest team among the U.S. teams. The Bruins have three Stanley Cups, the most recent being in 2011.

Massachusetts gambling

Massachusetts Casinos

Massachusetts is home to five casinos scattered across the state, and most have a focus on horse racing. Three casinos will be home to sportsbooks in the future, once sports betting is legalized.

It’s slated that two of the three will be at the large resort casinos at the MGM Springfield and Encore Boston Harbor. A third casino in the southwest region of the state will be chosen as well. The Plainridge Park slot parlor is also going to be home to a sportsbook.

There is potential that there could eventually be more sportsbook locations, but that would require edits to their bill, and it only calls for three right now.

CasinoCityTypePhone
Aquinnah Cliffs Casino (planned)AquinnahIndian casino
Encore Boston HarborEverettResort casino1 857-770-7000
MGM SpringfieldSpringfieldResort casino413-273-5000
Plainridge Park CasinoPlainvilleSlot parlor1 508-576-4500
First Light Casino & Resort (planned)TauntonIndian casino

How to Bet on Sports in Massachusetts?

Here, we discuss some hot tips for betting on specific sports. Because each sport comes with its own set of betting terms, wager types, and strategies, we have a specific section for each major sport here.

How to Bet on Football in Massachusetts?

Furthermore, betting on the NFL in Massachusetts comes with an incredible amount of adrenaline. This is especially true because of the frequent success of the New England Patriots. While they pull in fans from the entire region, they are based in Eastern Massachusetts. You can bet on the Patriots to come out on top on Sunday or Monday Night Football or look ahead to the Super Bowl by focusing on football futures.

How to Bet on Basketball in Massachusetts?

Additionally, basketball betting in Massachusetts is an ideal combination. In this high-speed sport, we recommended checking oout live betting platforms offered by the MA betting sites that we recommend here. The Boston Celtics are a beloved team that harkens to the city's Irish roots.

How to Bet on Baseball in Massachusetts?

Founded in 1901, the Boston Red Sox are among the most legendary teams in the MLB. They won their first World Series title way back in 1903, and have been among the most succesful baseball franchises. Some fun Red Sox props include betting on if the pitcher will throw a no-hitter. Red Sox betting is a huge deal in Massachusetts.

How to Bet on UFC in Massachusetts?

Massachusetts is not the home of many UFC fights. This is fine! In fact, it has little baring on whether or not you can make UFC bets in Massachusetts. The main thing is to sign up at one of the MA betting sites we recommend here, where you will find plenty of great UFC betting lines.

How to Bet on Boxing in Massachusetts?

In order to bet on boxing in Massachusetts, the most important thing is to understand your different boxing betting options. Something special to sports like boxing is the possibility to make method of victory bets. In these wagers, you are not focused on the winner, but on how they will win, by decision or TKO, for example.

Mobile sports betting in Massachusetts

Mobile sports betting is growing in Massachusetts. In fact, it is the most common way that Mass. bettors are logging in to their online betting sites. We take a strong look at the needs of mobile bettors and apply it to our mobile betting app reviews. Mobile betting comes with lots of advantages such as better access to betting opportunities and added convenience. This is an integral part of how we recommend the best Mass betting sites.

Nearby states with online sports betting

There are plenty of nearby states with online sports betting. In Connecticut, Rhode Island, New York, and New Hampshire have all passed sports betting bills. In whichever of these states you're in, you can use the offshore sportsbooks. They are often the best ones anyway!

Top Online Sportsbooks for Betting in Massachusetts

We have compiled a great selection of online sportsbook reviews for new and intermediate bettors alike, which will help you make the right decisions when looking for an online sportsbook to play at.

There are specific criteria that we find important when looking for an online sportsbook, including deposit options, bonuses and promotions, minimum deposit and cashout limits, mobile-friendliness, betting app and more. We evaluate each sportsbook and outline the important factors to consider before signing up so that you are making the best choice based on your needs.

Legal Sports Betting States