Massachusetts sports betting officially went live on March 10, 2023, marking a significant milestone for Bay State residents. With seven major online sportsbooks now available, including DraftKings, FanDuel, Caesars, and BetMGM, bettors have access to a variety of platforms offering competitive odds, generous sign-up bonuses, and a wide range of betting markets. Massachusetts quickly became a key player in the sports betting industry, with residents wagering over $8 billion since its launch, generating over $140 million in state revenue.
Our team of experienced industry professionals has created this guide to provide everything you need to know about sports betting in Massachusetts. From in-depth reviews of available sportsbooks to an overview of the market’s growth and future potential, we offer reliable information backed by years of expertise. Whether you’re interested in exploring the legal landscape or finding the best betting opportunities, this resource ensures you’re informed and prepared to make the most of your sports betting journey.
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Is Sports Betting Legal in Massachusetts?
Yes, sports betting is fully legal in Massachusetts, both at retail locations and through licensed online sportsbooks. Retail sports betting launched on January 31, 2023, followed by mobile and online betting on March 10, 2023. Residents can place wagers at the state’s three casinos or through seven online sportsbooks, including popular platforms like DraftKings, FanDuel, Caesars, BetMGM, and Fanatics. With a range of options, Massachusetts offers a robust and accessible betting environment for its residents.
The legalization of sports betting was a result of extensive legislative efforts, culminating in Governor Charlie Baker signing the sports betting bill into law on August 10, 2022. The law allows for 15 online sports betting licenses, eight of which are tied to land-based casinos and seven available through competitive bidding. This framework ensures a competitive market while providing consumers with a secure and regulated environment to enjoy sports betting. Whether you prefer betting in person or online, Massachusetts offers a seamless and legal way to engage with your favorite sports.
Massachusetts Sportsbooks
Caesars Sportsbook
Caes
1. Caesars Sportsbook
- Tech Partner: William Hill
- Full sportsbook review: Caesars Sportsbook
Caesars Entertainment is behind a number of the largest casinos in the United States. It became one of the largest sportsbooks as well by partnering with European giant William Hill. Though it doesn’t have an established presence in the Bay State the way MGM does, odds are that Caesars will find a foothold in the market.
Caesars Sportsbook has a great value-add in the form of the Caesars rewards program that can be redeemed at Caesars-operated casinos and resorts around the country. Users can get started on both sports betting and earning rewards points with their new user promotion.
DraftKings Sportsbook –
Dr
2. DraftKings Sportsbook
- Tech Partner: DraftKings
- Full sportsbook review: DraftKings Sportsbook
DraftKings has become a staple of Boston sports in a few different ways. First and foremost is that the daily fantasy sports and sports betting giant is headquartered in Boston, founding in the city in 2012. On top of that it has been partnered with the Boston Red Sox since 2021, giving it close ties to its hometown baseball team and inroads into Massachusetts sports betting.
DraftKings Sportsbook has become an industry leader and go-to for sports bettors thanks to its ability to keep users engaged with regular promotions. It also boasts a strong welcome bonus, allowing new users to hit the ground running.
BetMGM Sportsbook
B
3. BetMGM Sportsbook
- Tech Partner: Entain
- Full Sportsbook review: BetMGM Sportsbook
MGM Resorts, the parent company of BetMGM Sportsbook, is already established in Massachusetts. This comes in the form of MGM Springfield, a 2 million-square-foot complex that has a large casino alongside a hotel, resort, and more. Once sports betting opens in the state, it will almost certainly add a BetMGM sportsbook as well.
BetMGM is another leading sportsbook that gives users ample “no brainer” bonuses and promotions to keep them engaged. This includes a solid welcome bonus that can be found below alongside promotions for both major sports leagues and international sports events.
FanDuel Sportsbook
4. FanDuel Sportsbook
- Tech Partner: FanDuel
- Full FanDuel review: FanDuel Online Sportsbook
FanDuel is almost everywhere in the American sports betting market, and it got an early jump on establishing itself in Massachusetts. Before sports betting was even on the table in the state, it established a partnership with Suffolk Downs to offer betting on its races through the FanDuel app.
Since then, FanDuel has become one of the heaviest hitters in the sports betting industry. It’s established in almost every state that allows sports betting and has become a favorite among new and veteran bettors alike thanks to its large bonus offering and variety of banking options.
Other legal Massachusett sportsbooks
How To Register at an Online Sports Betting Site in Massachusetts
Time needed: 5 minutes
Are you ready to enter the exciting world of Massachusetts sports betting? Just follow the steps below to start placing wagers on all your favorite players and teams!
- Choose Your Massachusetts Sportsbook
Pick a Massachusetts sports betting site that aligns well with your personal preferences and individual betting needs. Be sure to check out all the top Massachusetts promotions and bonus offers at the top of this page to lock in the best sportsbook promo offers.
- Register for an Account
Fill out the registration form with accurate details, including your name, date of birth, email address, residential address, and phone number. Create a unique username and password for your account, and agree to the site’s Terms & Conditions to finish registering for an account.
- Verify Your Information
In order to comply with regulatory requirements and ensure the security of your account, you may be required to verify your information. Follow the instructions provided by the sportsbook to complete the verification process, which may involve submitting identification documents.
- Make Your First Deposit
Once you sign up, it’s time to make a deposit. Each sports betting site has its own set of accepted payment methods, and the options can vary greatly. It’s likely worth checking out our sportsbook reviews before signing up to ensure the sportsbook accepts your preferred payment method. Debit/credit cards, online banking, and PayPal are a few of the most commonly accepted deposit methods.
- Claim Your Welcome Offer
Use the promo codes we’ve provided throughout this page to claim your sportsbook’s welcome offer, which will typically come in the form of bonus bets, deposit matches, or first-bet insurance. Follow the specific instructions provided by your sportsbook to make sure you’ve met all necessary qualifications and are eligible to receive your reward.
- Start Placing Bets
With funds in your account, you are now ready to start placing bets. Browse the sportsbook’s offerings, select your desired sports and events, choose your betting markets, enter your stake amount, and confirm your bet slip. Monitor your bets and enjoy the excitement of sports wagering in Massachusetts. Good luck!
List of retail sportsbooks where players can bet in Massachusetts?
Retail sports betting in Massachusetts went live in early 2023, with ten temporary sportsbook licenses awarded to some of the biggest players in the sports betting industry. Here are five places to bet on sports in Massachusetts and what they will have on offer.
Encore Boston Harbor
- Location: 1 Broadway, Everett, MA 02149
- Projected Sportsbook: WynnBet
- Features: Slots, poker, table games
The Encore Boston Harbor is Massachusetts’ largest gaming destination. The casino and hotel is located along the Mystic River, and has an enormous gaming floor that takes up over 200,000 square feet with over 2,500 slot machines. On top of this are all the table games and poker tables one could hope for.
Though it doesn’t have the branding, Wynn Resorts runs Encore Boston Harbor. This will likely result in Wynn’s own WynnBet being made available as a retail sportsbook at the establishment.
MGM Springfield
- Location: 1 MGM Way, Springfield, MA 01103
- Projected Sportsbook: BetMGM
- Features: Slots, poker, table games
Western Massachusetts has its own large gaming destination with MGM Springfield. The casino operated by MGM Resorts has a gaming floor that measures over 100,000 square feet with slots, poker, and table games on offer to visitors. The casino is the centerpiece of a huge complex that includes shops, a hotel, and more.
Naturally, MGM is angling to bring its popular BetMGM Sportsbook to the casino. This would allow fans to take a break from the tables and wager on a game, taking advantage of BetMGM’s large prop bet market and engaging promotion with every sport.
Suffolk Downs
- Location: 525 William F. McClellan Highway, Boston, MA 02128
- Projected Sportsbook: Unknown
- Features: Racing center
Suffolk Downs is a former horseracing track in Boston that hosted thoroughbred racing. It has been opened and closed on a few occasions over the years, but exists today as a racing center where visitors can wager on thoroughbred racing, harness racing, and greyhounds.
Raynham Park
- Location: 1958 Broadway, Raynham, MA 02767
- Projected Sportsbook: Unknown
- Features: Racing center
Raynham Park was forced to make a big shift after greyhound racing was banned in Massachusetts, and the racing center is set to do it again with sports betting coming online. It’s doing so again with sports betting, with a new location built for sports wagering.
Plainridge Park Casino
- Location: 301 Washington St, Plainville, MA 02762
- Projected Sportsbook: Barstool Sportsbook
- Features: Slots, table games, harness racing
Plainridge Park Casino has changed hands several times over the years, sometimes in explosive fashion, but has remained a go-to destination for gaming enthusiasts in both Massachusetts and Rhode Island. Today, the location is run by Penn Entertainment, the company behind a number of casino chains including Hollywood Casinos, Boomtown, Ameristar Casinos, and more.
There are 1,200 slot machines available and digital table games, but the main selling point for the establishment is that it’s the only harness racing in Massachusetts. Penn Entertainment’s casinos and tracks traditionally have a Barstool Sportsbook on-site. This is notable as Barstool Sportsbook is known to offer bonuses for those who make cash deposits at their retail sportsbook establishments.
Massachusetts Sports Betting Overview
What Sports Can Be Bet On?
Massachusetts sports betting will have all of the most popular sports in America including football, baseball, basketball, hockey, combat sports, and more. The only asterisks of note at this time is related to collegiate sports.
Bettors will not be able to wager on college games involving Massachusetts schools. Bettors will be able to wager on competitions involving teams from outside the state. Here is a partial list of sports that you’ll be able to wager on in Massachusetts:
- MLB
- NFL
- NBA
- NHL
- Boxing
- MMA
- NCAA Football
- NCAA Basketball
- NCAA Hockey
- PGA
- Soccer
- Tennis
- Racing
- Lacrosse
Types of bets available at Massachusetts Sportsbooks
Massachusetts sports betting will likely look quite similar to sports betting in other states, with standard bet types and markets. Here are some of the types of wagers that will likely be available once things are fully legalized.
Moneyline
Moneyline wagering is likely what one first thinks of when it comes to sports betting. Simply pick the winner of a contest and you can make some scratch if you’re correct.
Spread
The trouble with moneyline betting is that not all teams are made equal. When one team is much better than the other, the payout for picking the favorite to win won’t be as high. Spreads fix that by assigning a margin of points that the favorite needs to win by. This makes a bet on the underdog more viable, and can make the odds on the favorite more desirable.
Live betting
Most sportsbooks still offer the same types of wagers, even after the game starts. This is live betting, where the odds shift as the game progresses and you have the chance to show your skills when it comes to reading into the action.
Totals
Totals are similar to over/unders but account for the points scored by both teams. This is one of the most popular styles of betting, and is prominently featured by all major sportsbooks.
Prop bets
Prop bets work the same as any other bet but are related to unique conditions or events occurring during or around a sporting contest. The most common are markets on things like whether a specific player will score a touchdown in a football game, but they can be much more exotic like picking which celebrities be shown in the crowd during the Super Bowl.
Parlays
Parlays put together multiple small bets into one larger bet where all conditions must be fulfilled in order to have it net a win. This adds risk by adding multiple conditions rather than just one, but can make for some very sizable payouts.
Player Favorite Teams To Bet On In Massachusetts
Boston Red Sox
Boston’s most beloved team is likely the Red Sox. The franchise was long one of MLB’s lovable losers but that changed when the Sox finally took home a World Series pennant in 2004. Once that happened, the Sox went from lovable losers to perennial contenders with four World Series pennants between 2004 and 2018.
The Sox had a rough 2022 with a 78-84 record, its first season with a sub-.500 record since 2015. The team will be looking to rebound in 2023 and has the pieces to return to form over the coming years.
Boston Bruins
One of the Original Six teams, the Boston Bruins have a long and strong history in the NHL. The team’s rivalry with the Montreal Canadiens is among the most bitter in American sports, with almost 100 years of shared history.
The Bruins have an up-and-down history but have largely stayed in the playoff hunt over the last few decades. The team won the Stanley Cup in 2011, but is looking to rebound after stumbling in the finals in 2013 and 2019.
New England Patriots
The New England Patriots were long the flimsiest Boston team, lacking the legacy and legendary players of its neighbors. That changed in 2001 when a freak injury shelved longtime quarterback Drew Bledsoe, opening the door for Tom Brady to take over. Brady and coach Bill Belichick proved to be an all-time great duo, ushering in one of the longest-lasting dynasties across the four major American sports.
Across 20 seasons, the Patriots made it into nine Super Bowls and won six. Brady left the Patriots in 2020 and there’s been an adjustment period since then, but Belichick remains the pilot so it’s impossible to dismiss the team.
Boston Celtics
The Boston Celtics have a reputation for success and the team has been living up to that over recent years. After an ugly skid in the early 2000s, a new Big Three came together with Kevin Garnett, Paul Pierce, and Ray Allen. The trio led the Celtics to its first NBA Championship in more than 20 years in 2008, and things haven’t slowed down much since.
Though the Celtics haven’t won a title since then, the team has made two trips to the NBA Finals and a number of other deep playoff runs since then. The Celtics are a perennial contender, and a serious threat in the Eastern Conference.
Boston College Eagles
The most notable collegiate athletics program in Massachusetts is Boston College. The Eagles have 29 varsity teams with its greatest successes coming on the ice, with its hockey team enjoying dynasty status from 2008 to 2012 after winning three NCAA national championships. Its team has produced a number of modern all-stars including Johnny Gaudreau and Cam Atkinson, as well as all-time greats like Brian Leetch and Joe Mullen.
Outside of hockey, Boston College was successful in basketball in the early 2000s but gets a great deal of attention for its football team. Though it isn’t as decorated, the BC football team has produced a number of superstar players including Doug Flutie and Bill Romanowski. It isn’t just throwback names either, as the school produced longtime Atlanta Falcons quarterback Matt Ryan and lineman Chris Lindstrom.
UMass Amherst Minutemen
The University of Massachusetts Amherst is another notable Massachusetts school when it comes to athletics. It boasts 19 varsity teams, and is primarily known for its football team. The UMass Minutemen were utterly dominant from the 1960s to the 1980s, winning 17 Yankee Conference championships from 1960 to 1990.
Since being accepted to FBS in 2013, the team hasn’t had a season record better than 4-8. Rivalries with Boston College and the University of Connecticut’s Huskies keep the school a New England favorite, though.
Alongside these teams, here are some of the other notable pro and collegiate teams based in Massachusetts:
- New England Revolution
- Boston Uprising
- Boston Breach
- Boston Pride
- UMASS Lowell River Hawks
- Holy Cross Crusaders
- Merrimack Warriors
- Stonehill Skyhawks
- Northeastern Huskies
- Harvard Crimson
- Boston Terriers
History of Sports Betting in Massachusetts
Massachusetts has a long history of banning, unbanning, and re-banning different forms of gambling within its borders. From bingo to greyhound racing to different forms of horse racing, any longtime resident of the Bay State has seen some manner legislation related to gambling.
Sports betting has been largely been shelved in the state. Massachusetts was affected by the Professional and Amateur Sports Protection Act of 1992, and it made no effort to try and change that. In 2018, the United States Supreme Court overturned the 1992 law, allowing states to individually decide whether sports betting would be legal within their borders.
Progress was quiet for some time in 2021 when state legislators began budgeting around the idea of sports betting becoming legal within the state. Throughout 2021 and into 2022, the state legislature went back and forth on details regarding budgeting and wagering on college sports. It wasn’t until August 2022 that the Massachusetts General Court approved a bill that was sent to Governor Charlie Baker, who signed the bill into law to confirm Massachusetts as the 36th state to allow sports betting.
Once this was set in stone, the wheels of bureaucracy began turning. Officials in the state began setting the key legal and regulatory framework in stone. With this, sights were set on early 2023 for sports betting to launch in Massachusetts. Retail sports betting officially became available in the Bay State in January 2023, and online sports betting launched two months later in March.
Massachusetts Sports Betting FAQ
Yes, sports betting is now legal in Massachusetts. In August 2022, a bill was approved by the Massachusetts General Court and signed into law by Governor Charlie Baker, making Massachusetts the 36th state to legalize sports betting.
Yes, Massachusetts sports bettors can place bets on college sporting events. However, wagers cannot be placed on matchups involving in-state schools, unless they are playing in their conference tournament or the NCAA Tournament.
No, you do not need to be a resident of Massachusetts to participate in sports betting within the state. As long as you are physically located within state borders, you will be eligible to place bets through licensed sportsbooks.
