MA Gambling Laws: Is Sports Betting Legal In Massachusetts

Is Gambling legal in Massachusetts? A quick history

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.

Is sports betting legal in Massachusetts?

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.

What types of sports gambling are legal in Massachusetts?

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.

What is the legal age for online sports wagering?

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?

When will more sports betting sites be legal in Massachusetts?

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:

Is sports betting legal in MA - The conclusion

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

Is sports betting legal in Massachusetts FAQ