Massachusetts sports betting is fully legal in 2026, giving sports fans access to over half a dozen licensed betting apps across the state. That means, if you’re in the Bay State (even temporarily), you can place real-money wagers through platforms like DraftKings, FanDuel, and BetMGM.
This guide will take a closer look at the best Massachusetts sportsbooks, compare today’s top betting sites, and cover the most important rules you should understand before getting started.
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| MA Online Sports Betting Status | Legal and available statewide ✅ |
| Legal Betting Age | 21+ |
| Online Sportsbook Licenses | Up to 15 allowed |
| Sportsbooks Currently Available | DraftKings, FanDuel, BetMGM, Caesars, Fanatics Sportsbook, Bally Bet, theScore Bet |
| State Regulator | Massachusetts Gaming Commission |
| College Sports Betting Rules | Allowed, but no bets on in-state teams unless they are playing in conference tournaments or the NCAA Tournament. College prop bets aren’t allowed either. |
| Residency required? | No. You only need to be physically located in Massachusetts to place a bet. |
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 House Bill No. 5164 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.
Best Massachusetts Sports Betting Apps
Here are the Massachusetts sportsbooks that are currently available to players. Every site listed is fully licensed by the Massachusetts Gaming Commission, so you’re betting on legitimate platforms that accept real-money wagers online and through mobile apps.
Caesars Sportsbook Massachusetts
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 (more on that in a second), Caesars has established itself as one of the leading sportsbooks available in Massachusetts.
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 Massachusetts
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, founded 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 a well-known sports betting app thanks to its ability to keep users engaged with regular promotions. It also typically provides a large welcome bonus, allowing new users to get started with extra value.
BetMGM Sportsbook Massachusetts
MGM Resorts, the parent company of BetMGM, is well established in Massachusetts through MGM Springfield. BetMGM is now fully licensed for online sports betting in the state, allowing players to place real-money wagers statewide.
BetMGM Sportsbook is a popular betting app known for its welcome bonuses and ongoing promotions, including offers tied to major U.S. and international sporting events.
FanDuel Sportsbook Massachusetts
FanDuel Sportsbook is available in most U.S. states where sports betting is legal and was one of the first operators to position itself in Massachusetts. Before statewide sports betting launched, the company partnered with Suffolk Downs to offer horse-racing wagers through the FanDuel app.
Since then, FanDuel has expanded into a full online sportsbook in Massachusetts, covering all major professional leagues and approved college sports. It’s widely used by both newer and more experienced bettors, with a mix of standard betting markets, recurring promotions, and common deposit and withdrawal options.
Other Legal MA Online Sportsbooks
- Fanatics Sportsbook
- Bally Bet
- theScore Bet
How to Bet on Sports 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 MA sportsbook 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 offers. 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.
Retail Sportsbooks in Massachusetts
If you want to bet in person instead of using an app, there are only a few places in Massachusetts where you can do that. All retail sportsbooks in the state are located at licensed casino properties and have been open since 2023.
There aren’t many options, but these are the three locations currently offering in-person sports betting:
- Encore Boston Harbor in Everett
- MGM Springfield in Springfield
- Plainridge Park Casino in Plainville
Most bettors in Massachusetts stick with online sportsbooks since they’re available statewide, but the casino locations I’ve listed above still offer traditional betting counters and kiosks if that’s more your style.
Massachusetts Sports Betting Markets & Rules
Massachusetts sports betting offers a wide range of wagering options, including major professional leagues and approved college sports. Below, we’ll walk through the sports you can bet on here and the most common wager types you’ll find at licensed MA sportsbooks.
What Sports Can You Bet on in Massachusetts?
Massachusetts sports betting covers 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 cannot wager on college games involving Massachusetts schools. Bettors, however, can wager on competitions involving teams from outside the state. Here is a list of some of the different 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 looks quite similar to sports betting in other states, with standard bet types and markets. Here are some of the types of wagers that you’ll be able to make in the Bay State.
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.
Short 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.
Online Sports Betting in Nearby States
If you’re someone who travels throughout the Northeast a lot, sports betting rules can vary by state. You can find full guides for nearby markets below:
- Connecticut sports betting
- Maine sports betting
- New Hampshire sports betting
- New York sports betting
- Vermont sports betting
Each state has its own sportsbook options and betting rules that you’ll have to follow while you’re there.
Responsible Gambling in Massachusetts
Sports betting should remain enjoyable and within your comfort level. If gambling ever feels stressful, difficult to control, or starts to negatively affect your finances or well-being, confidential help is available in Massachusetts.
Helpful resources include:
- Massachusetts Council on Gaming and Health (MCGH) – Education, prevention programs, and local support resources
- GameSense Massachusetts – Free, confidential information and tools to help players manage risk and set limits
- Massachusetts Problem Gambling Helpline – Call or text “GAMB” to 800-327-5050 for 24/7 confidential support
Massachusetts Sports Betting FAQs
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 are eligible to place bets through licensed sportsbooks.
