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US Gambling Sites / MA Gambling Laws: Is Sports Betting Legal In Massachusetts

MA Gambling Laws: Is Sports Betting Legal In Massachusetts

Last Updated on 15/03/2024
Fact checked by: Drew the DFS Guy

So is sports betting legal in MA? Yes, it is – there are now six mobile sportsbooks live in the Bay State!

If you are aged 21 or older, you can now legally bet on professional and some college sports both in person and online. Moreover, you can check out some of the best betting apps and bonuses right here at CaptainGambling, including FanDuel, DraftKings and more.

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The first form of gambling in MA was legalized way back in the 1920s, when pari-mutuel wagering was legalized at horse racing tracks in the Bay State. However, no further progress was made for another 50 years, until the state lottery was founded in 1971.

The biggest change came in 2011 when a gambling bill was passed to allow land-based casinos to open in tribal locations. The first of these opened its doors in 2015, and there are currently three such resorts located throughout the state.

With regard to sports betting, MA gambling laws moved a little bit more slowly. In fact, the first retail sportsbook wasn’t legally allowed to open its doors until early 2023. Now though, things are finally moving quickly, and in the right direction.

MA online sports betting

But is online betting legal in Massachusetts? That’s the question on everybody's lips. And while it did take some time, it is finally here – for sports betting fans at least. The Mass sports gambling bill was passed in 2022, which led to the launch of in-person sports betting shortly afterwards.

This was quickly followed by the launch of mobile sports betting on March 10, 2023, which saw no fewer than six Massachusetts gambling sites go live. Prior to this, paid DFS contests with prize pools were the closest alternative that MA sports fans had to online wagering.

Both in-person and online sportsbooks in MA are allowed to offer betting markets on professional events and a restricted selection of collegiate sports.

Additionally, many different forms of betting are also legal, which means that there are very few restricted markets. As well as straight bets, you can also wager on the spread, totals markets and team and player props. Additionally, combo bets, futures and other more niche options are available at MA sportsbooks.

The legal Massachusetts gambling age for online and in-person sports wagering is 21 and over. This is the same age requirement for entering and playing games at land-based casinos as well. For lotteries, the minimum age requirement is 21. You do not have to be an MA state resident in order to bet, but you do have to be physically located within state borders.

Who governs MA sports wagering?

The Massachusetts Gaming Commission (MGC) is responsible for the regulation of the sports betting industry in the Bay State. This makes it responsible for the 10 licenses as well as keeping the operators in check and governing what happens with regard to taxes. Currently, the tax rate is 20% for online sportsbooks and 15% for retail.

The best mobile sportsbooks in Massachusetts

Now that we’ve comprehensively answered that all-important question “is sports betting legal in Massachusetts?”, let’s take a look at where you can bet. There are currently six licensed sportsbook apps that are already live in the Bay State, with more set to launch in the near future. In total, the MGC has 10 online licenses that it can issue for online operators.

Below, we have taken a closer look at the top online sportsbooks in MA, as well as the welcome bonus that each one is offering new customers. If you so wish, you can use the reviews in our comparison tool here at CaptainGambling in order to take a close look at each one. Ultimately, this should help you to find your ideal operator.

DraftKings 

DraftKings is one of the biggest and most instantly recognizable sports-related brands in the UK. It was originally launched as a fantasy sports platform, and its DFS product has actually been live in the Bay State since 2015. And now, DK account holders in Mass can wager on sports using the app. If you are not yet sure about opening an account, you can browse the odds on the sportsbook website before you sign up.

For newcomers to DraftKings MA, there is a massive welcome bonus. This sees you get a bonus worth $200 when you register and bet just $5. Your $200 comes in the form of 8 x $25 bonus bets that all last for seven days. This is an exclusive offer that is only available for new account holders in Massachusetts.

FanDuel

A very similar alternative to the one mentioned above is FanDuel MA – another massive brand that first launched in the Bay State as a DFS platform in 2015. The parallels don’t stop there, as there is also a $200 welcome bonus for new players at this sportsbook as well.

In order to claim your $200 in bonus bets at FanDuel, you simply have to deposit at least $10 and then bet at least $5. After that, you should receive your bonus bets straight away. In terms of the product itself, FanDuel is an excellent option for betting on the NFL, NBA and the NHL. For college basketball fans, you won’t want to miss out on the March Madness odds and promotions here.

BetMGM

Fronted by Jamie Foxx and famed for its cool, dark casino-style branding, BetMGM is one of the most widely-available sportsbooks in the US. Moreover, it has a rewards program that is interlinked with MGM’s land-based casino resorts in the US – including those in Atlantic City and Las Vegas.

As a new account holder at this mobile sportsbook, you can claim a no-sweat bet worth up to $1,000. This works by matching your first wager like-for-like in bonus bets if it fails to win. For example, if you sign up and bet $100 on the Bruins, and they lose, you will get $100 in bonus bets paid into your account.

WynnBet

As well as being endorsed with a wide range of NFL and NBA-related partnerships, WynnBet MA also has some of the best odds on NASCAR and other motorsports. As a new account holder, there is a bet $100 get $100 offer available. This bonus has very simple rules: you register, deposit and bet $100, and receive $100 in bonus bets.

Is sports betting legal in MA in person with WynnBet, we hear you ask. Absolutely – in addition to its online sportsbook, WynnBet also has several retail sportsbooks in the state, as well as express kiosks where you can park up, bet, and drive away.

Caesars Sportsbook

If you are looking for a great variety of betting markets, then Caesars sportsbook is worth checking out. On top of that, it has one of the best-looking apps that we’ve ever seen and also has some neat features, such as the bet builder and in-play betting interface. Moreover, you can earn Caesars Rewards when betting online, which can then be used at the brand’s land-based resorts.

For new players, there is the chance to grab a bonus worth up to $1,500 when you register using the correct promo code. As is the case with the BetMGM bonus, this offer works by giving you bonus bets that are equal to your first bet if it loses. The only difference is that the Caesars offer has a bigger maximum.

Barstool Sportsbook

Is sports betting legal in Massachusetts with Barstool Sportsbook? You betcha! And it is a great option, especially if you’re looking for collegiate betting promos. However, before we even get to that, there is the new customer promo to discuss, which can get you a bonus of up to $1,000.

This offer works exactly the same as those found at MGM and Caesars Sportsbook. You sign up, place your first bet, and if it then loses, you will get bonus bets equal to the amount of your losing bet. Sometimes, the simplest offers are the best, aren’t they?

Right now, you should have more than enough to keep you occupied when betting in MA with the six sportsbooks listed above. However, there are more coming in the very near future. Although no exact dates have been specified, the MGC has confirmed more sports betting licenses for 2024. On top of that, we cannot rule out even more licenses being issued in the coming years.

More sportsbook bonuses in MA

We’ve already covered the welcome offers that are available at the six live sportsbooks in the Bay State. But on top of that, there are plenty of bonuses that are available to you as an existing customer as well. Below, you can check out some of the most popular sports betting bonus types in MA:

Deposit matches

This is a type of bet that sees your first deposit get matched up to a certain percentage. For example, with a 100% match you will be given bonus credits that exactly match your first deposit.

First bet bonuses

A first bet bonus is kind of like the deposit match, only that you have to make a qualifying bet, as well as a deposit, in order to receive your bonus.

No-sweat bet

We already saw three examples of this one above. A no-sweat bet is like a first bet bonus, except that you will only receive your bonus bets if your qualifying wager isn’t a winner.

Odds boosters

This is a very common bonus that you will often find on multiple markets. Effectively, the sportsbook will boost the prices of the odds on certain markets, usually for big games that are coming up on the calendar.

There’s no better way to sum this article up than by reminding you of the headline – sports wagering is live and legal in Massachusetts. You can now place bets both in person and online, so long as you are over 21, of course.

If you are looking to register an account and place your first wager, the next step is to make use of the reviews here at CaptainGambling. These provide you with a better insight into each of the six betting apps that we spoke about on this page. Ultimately, this can help you to make an informed decision which should result in you choosing your perfect sportsbook.

An Overview of Gambling in MA

Sports
Sport
Casino
Poker
Horse Betting
Daily Fantasy Sports
Social Casino
Legal
Planned
Illegal
Alabama
Yes
No
Sport
Casino
Poker
Horse Betting
Daily Fantasy Sports
Social Casino
Alaska
Yes
No
Sport
Casino
Poker
Horse Betting
Daily Fantasy Sports
Social Casino
Arizona
See full length article: Online Gambling Arizona 2024
Yes
No
Sport
Casino
Poker
Horse Betting
Daily Fantasy Sports
Social Casino
Legal Age21+
Top Operator
Bet365
Visit Site
Arkansas
Yes
No
Sport
Casino
Poker
Horse Betting
Daily Fantasy Sports
Social Casino
Legal Age21+
California
Yes
No
Sport
Casino
Poker
Horse Betting
Daily Fantasy Sports
Social Casino
Colorado
See full length article: Online Gambling Colorado 2024
Yes
No
Sport
Casino
Poker
Horse Betting
Daily Fantasy Sports
Social Casino
Legal Age21+
Top Operator
Bet365
Visit Site
Connecticut
See full length article: Online Gambling Connecticut 2024
Yes
No
Sport
Casino
Poker
Horse Betting
Daily Fantasy Sports
Social Casino
Legal Age21+
Top Operator
FanDuel Sport
Visit Site
Delaware
See full length article: Online Gambling Delaware 2024
Yes
No
Sport
Casino
Poker
Horse Betting
Daily Fantasy Sports
Social Casino
Legal Age21+
Florida
See full length article: Online Gambling Florida 2024
Yes
No
Sport
Casino
Poker
Horse Betting
Daily Fantasy Sports
Social Casino
Legal Age21+
Note
Racetracks, national lotteries and tribal casinos are legal. Sports betting and all other casino gaming is illegal.
Georgia
Yes
No
Sport
Casino
Poker
Horse Betting
Daily Fantasy Sports
Social Casino
Hawaii
Yes
No
Sport
Casino
Poker
Horse Betting
Daily Fantasy Sports
Social Casino
Idaho
Yes
No
Sport
Casino
Poker
Horse Betting
Daily Fantasy Sports
Social Casino
Illinois
See full length article: Online Gambling Illinois 2024
Yes
No
Sport
Casino
Poker
Horse Betting
Daily Fantasy Sports
Social Casino
Legal Age21+
Top Operator
BetMGM Sportsbook
Visit Site
Indiana
See full length article: Online Gambling Indiana 2024
Yes
No
Sport
Casino
Poker
Horse Betting
Daily Fantasy Sports
Social Casino
Legal Age21+
Top Operator
Bet365
Visit Site
Iowa
See full length article: Online Gambling Iowa 2024
Yes
No
Sport
Casino
Poker
Horse Betting
Daily Fantasy Sports
Social Casino
Legal Age21+
Top Operator
Bet365
Visit Site
Kansas
See full length article: Kansas Gambling Guide
Yes
No
Sport
Casino
Poker
Horse Betting
Daily Fantasy Sports
Social Casino
Legal Age21+
Top Operator
BetMGM Sportsbook
Visit Site
Kentucky
Yes
No
Sport
Casino
Poker
Horse Betting
Daily Fantasy Sports
Social Casino
Top Operator
Bet365
Visit Site
Louisiana
See full length article: Online Gambling Louisiana 2024
Yes
No
Sport
Casino
Poker
Horse Betting
Daily Fantasy Sports
Social Casino
Legal Age21+
Planned Legalization Date2021
Top Operator
Bet365
Visit Site
Maine
Yes
No
Sport
Casino
Poker
Horse Betting
Daily Fantasy Sports
Social Casino
Maryland
See full length article: Online Gambling in Maryland 2024: When Will Online Gambling Be Legal in Maryland?
Yes
No
Sport
Casino
Poker
Horse Betting
Daily Fantasy Sports
Social Casino
Legal Age21+
Top Operator
BetMGM Sportsbook
Visit Site
Massachusetts
Yes
No
Sport
Casino
Poker
Horse Betting
Daily Fantasy Sports
Social Casino
Legal Age21+
Top Operator
BetMGM Sportsbook
Visit Site
Michigan
See full length article: Online Gambling Michigan 2024
Yes
No
Sport
Casino
Poker
Horse Betting
Daily Fantasy Sports
Social Casino
Legal Age21+
Top Operator
BetMGM Sportsbook
Visit Site
Minnesota
Yes
No
Sport
Casino
Poker
Horse Betting
Daily Fantasy Sports
Social Casino
Mississippi
Yes
No
Sport
Casino
Poker
Horse Betting
Daily Fantasy Sports
Social Casino
Legal Age21+
Missouri
Yes
No
Sport
Casino
Poker
Horse Betting
Daily Fantasy Sports
Social Casino
Montana
See full length article: Online Gambling Montana 2024
Yes
No
Sport
Casino
Poker
Horse Betting
Daily Fantasy Sports
Social Casino
Legal Age18+
Nebraska
See full length article: Online Gambling Nebraska 2024
Yes
No
Sport
Casino
Poker
Horse Betting
Daily Fantasy Sports
Social Casino
Nevada
See full length article: Online Gambling Nevada 2024
Yes
No
Sport
Casino
Poker
Horse Betting
Daily Fantasy Sports
Social Casino
Legal Age21+
New Hampshire
See full length article: Online Gambling New Hampshire 2024
Yes
No
Sport
Casino
Poker
Horse Betting
Daily Fantasy Sports
Social Casino
Legal Age18+
New Jersey
See full length article: Online Gambling New Jersey 2024
Yes
No
Sport
Casino
Poker
Horse Betting
Daily Fantasy Sports
Social Casino
Legal Age21+
Top Operator
Bet365
Visit Site
New Mexico
Yes
No
Sport
Casino
Poker
Horse Betting
Daily Fantasy Sports
Social Casino
Legal Age21+
New York
See full length article: New York Online Gambling Sites 2024
Yes
No
Sport
Casino
Poker
Horse Betting
Daily Fantasy Sports
Social Casino
Legal Age18+
Top Operator
BetMGM Sportsbook
Visit Site
North Carolina
Yes
No
Sport
Casino
Poker
Horse Betting
Daily Fantasy Sports
Social Casino
Legal Age21+
Top Operator
Bet365
Visit Site
North Dakota
Yes
No
Sport
Casino
Poker
Horse Betting
Daily Fantasy Sports
Social Casino
Legal Age21+
Ohio
Yes
No
Sport
Casino
Poker
Horse Betting
Daily Fantasy Sports
Social Casino
Legal Age21+
Top Operator
Bet365
Visit Site
Oklahoma
Yes
No
Sport
Casino
Poker
Horse Betting
Daily Fantasy Sports
Social Casino
Oregon
See full length article: Online Gambling Oregon 2024
Yes
No
Sport
Casino
Poker
Horse Betting
Daily Fantasy Sports
Social Casino
Legal Age21+
Pennsylvania
See full length article: Online Gambling Pennsylvania 2024
Yes
No
Sport
Casino
Poker
Horse Betting
Daily Fantasy Sports
Social Casino
Legal Age21+
Note
All forms of gambling are legal in Pennsylvania at present.
Top Operator
BetMGM Sportsbook
Visit Site
Rhode Island
See full length article: Online Gambling Rhode Island 2024
Yes
No
Sport
Casino
Poker
Horse Betting
Daily Fantasy Sports
Social Casino
Legal Age18+
South Carolina
Yes
No
Sport
Casino
Poker
Horse Betting
Daily Fantasy Sports
Social Casino
South Dakota
See full length article: Online Gambling South Dakota 2024
Yes
No
Sport
Casino
Poker
Horse Betting
Daily Fantasy Sports
Social Casino
Legal Age21+
Tennessee
Yes
No
Sport
Casino
Poker
Horse Betting
Daily Fantasy Sports
Social Casino
Legal Age21+
Top Operator
BetMGM Sportsbook
Visit Site
Texas
Yes
No
Sport
Casino
Poker
Horse Betting
Daily Fantasy Sports
Social Casino
Utah
Yes
No
Sport
Casino
Poker
Horse Betting
Daily Fantasy Sports
Social Casino
Vermont
Yes
No
Sport
Casino
Poker
Horse Betting
Daily Fantasy Sports
Social Casino
Top Operator
FanDuel Sport
Visit Site
Virginia
See full length article: Online Gambling Virginia 2024
Yes
No
Sport
Casino
Poker
Horse Betting
Daily Fantasy Sports
Social Casino
Legal Age21+
Top Operator
Bet365
Visit Site
Washington
See full length article: Online Gambling Washington 2024
Yes
No
Sport
Casino
Poker
Horse Betting
Daily Fantasy Sports
Social Casino
Legal Age18+
Washington, D.C.
Yes
No
Sport
Casino
Poker
Horse Betting
Daily Fantasy Sports
Social Casino
West Virginia
See full length article: Online Gambling West Virginia 2024
Yes
No
Sport
Casino
Poker
Horse Betting
Daily Fantasy Sports
Social Casino
Legal Age21+
Wisconsin
Yes
No
Sport
Casino
Poker
Horse Betting
Daily Fantasy Sports
Social Casino
Legal Age21+
Wyoming
See full length article: Online Gambling Wyoming 2024
Yes
No
Sport
Casino
Poker
Horse Betting
Daily Fantasy Sports
Social Casino
Legal Age18+

You can find a comprehensive and regularly updated article on this subject right here at CaptainGambling.com. Why is it important to keep yourself updated on such matters? Well, because there are legislative changes that you need to look out for. All has been explained inside.

All of the dates related to legal gambling in MA have been provided for you here. As well as past and present dates, we have also included future dates that may be relevant to the launch of online and in-person sportsbooks in the Bay State.

A full list of the legal online sports wagering apps for users in MA has been provided for you here at CaptainGambling.com. Not only that, but we have also provided you with fully comprehensive reviews of each operator, as well as details about the welcome bonus and how to claim it. Just follow the link to get started.

Top Betting Sites
Top Betting Promos
Bet365
Bet365
Bet365 Review
4.7/5
BetMGM Sportsbook
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4.7/5
FanDuel Sport
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FanDuel Sport Review
4.6/5
Bet365
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BetMGM Sportsbook
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FanDuel Sport
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