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In early 2023, Massachusetts beā™‹came another state to make sports betting legally available both online and retail. Although thereā€™s still plenty more to come, Massachusetts sports betting is already able to boast many of the industryā€™s top names. So, if youā€™re from The Bay State andź¦— have been waiting to legally bet on your favorite sports online, the time is now!

  • Traditional sportsbook blows away expectations
  • Fantasy betting as good as advertised
  • Teaches beginners how to play

Full T&Cs apply. Gambling problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER

  • Fantastic mobile apps
  • Dedicated Massachusetts site version
  • Massive newcomer promotion

Full T&Cs apply. Gambling problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER

Prior to 2018, online sports betting in general was prohibited onšŸ¬ a federal level, but the overturning of PASPA has allowed individual states to determine for themselves whether they wish to offer sports betting.

As of Friday March 10th, 2023, online sports betting Massachusetts was live and legal. Retail sports bettā™Œing had already been launched at the end of January.

This allows for anyone within the state to bet on sports so long aš“†‰s they are within the state and of the legal age of 21. This includes mobile betting via apps or optimized browser versions of desktop platforms.

This is thanks to the passing of bill H 5164 ā€” a compromise between the house and sšŸØenate, which looked unlikely to happen right up until they passed their own deadline and came to a decision in the early hours of the morning.

  • 1638: The Puritans pass a laā™›w banning all games of chance.

  • 1745: The ban on lotteries is overturned to help KšŸ°išŸ€…ng George of England fund a war against France.

  • 1934: Massachusetts Senate Bill šŸŽƒ0179 legalizes paršŸØ-mutual betting on horse and dog racing.

  • 1993: PASPA is passed, essentially outlawing sports betting at a federal level oź¦«ver several years.

  • 2016: FantašŸ¦©sy sports betting is legalized in a temporary law.

  • 2018: PASPA ź¦›is overturned, opening the door for legal sports betting in Massachusetts.

  • 2011: The Massachusetts Gaming Commission is established, initially tā›¦o oversee horse racing.

  • 2022: Bill H. 5164, also knšŸ»own as the Massachusetts Legal Sports Betting Bill, is passed in the early hours of the morning.

  • 2023: BošŸŒ th retail and onliā™ˆne Massachusetts sports betting are launched.

The most recent Massachusetts sports betting update is a positive oną²Œe, with the licensing of several top global operators and an astronomical surge in state revenue. Their November 2023 Revenue Report states that therź¦Æe was $48,946,320 of taxable gaming revenue, which comes out at $9,770,754 in tax collected.

Itā€™s no small change and that is thanks to a tax rate of 20% for online licenses and 15% for retail ones. There are states witā™šh smaller business tax rates, but the revenue speaks for itself as a huge success.

Thereā€™s also the tax rate on the gamblers themselves to consider. Whether itā€™s mobile gambling or retail, Massachusetts simply views gambling winnings as another form of income. That means your yearly takings are subject to a flat tax rate based on your income and marital status, with tax rates between 10 and 37%. Gambling losses are deductible.

This processšŸƒ is simplified with form W-2ź¦ŗG, which is the easiest way to report your winnings, because if you meet the mandatory reporting thresholds, the operator is required to send both you and the IRS a copy. These minimums include winning more than $600 in one wager or winning more than 300 times your original stake.

1. FanDuel ā€“ More Than One Reason To Sign Up

fanduel massachusetts homepage screenshot
(Source: FanDuel)

If FanDuel were either solely a great fantasy betting site or the complete traditional sportsbook theyā€™ve become, they would warrant a place on this list. Either way you prefer to bet, they manage to strike a balance between above and beyond usability, complete with tutorials for newcomers, a level of betting depth and options that ošŸ…nly the elite of the industry can come close to.

Their odds are competitive and include some quite obscure events in immense depth. Theyā€™re especially great for pre-selected Parlay options, which can help you craft ešŸ¼xciting accas without much effort.

Even if you decide to go with something else, the ā€œParlay Hubā€ is a wonderful place to spot betting opportunities. And all of this is just as comprehensively availablešŸŒ¼ on either of their fantastic Massachusetts mobile legal sports betting apps.

I canā€™šŸ§øt imagine any legal sports ā™“betting in Massachusetts alternative to have a more all-embracing appeal.

Pros:
  • Learn and play for free
  • Fantastic pre-made Parlays
  • Great for fantasy and traditional betting
Cons:
  • Could use more payment options

2. BetMGM ā€“ Immensely Generous at Every Step

betmgm massachusetts homepage screenshot
(Source: BetMGM)

Every single operator you see in this list offers some fantastic promotions, so itā€™s no small compliment that Iā€™m singling BetMGM out for their consistent giveaways. Itā€™s not just the massive up to $1,500 welcome bonus if your first bet doesnā€™t win, but also a promotional page that is working overtime.

Such size and standards are also true of the terrific collection of betting markets availablā™”e here. Choose from a great mix of American favorites for local sports betting in Massachusetts or big international tournaments with live coverage (including livestreaming) available wherever possible.

While the design isnā€™t quite as easy-breezy as some on this list, itā€™s technically reliable and well structured, so you should find it a delight to use with a small amount of practice. This is especially the case considering that you can choose a version of the site specifically tailored to Massachusetts legal sports betting, therešŸ’–by putting the most relevant markets and promotions to you at the forefront.

Pros:
  • Custom-made for Massachusetts
  • Tons of rewards
  • Great market variety
Cons:
  • Could be a bit more user-friendly in places

3. ESPN BET ā€“ Ideal for Many Bay Staters

espn bet live page screenshot
(Source: ESPN Bet)

ESPN BET, a trusted brand and household name, will have massive appeal to many in the state, and they certainly live up to the hype. Their sports focus may largely be on those already popular in the States, but I know for lots of readers, thatā€™s exactly what theyā€™re looking for. And on those events, the markets coverage is mammoth and the odds top-tier across the board.

Moreover, the fundamentals are sound, customer service is constant, promotions are fair and easy to understand, and both mobile and desktop options are very accessible. They even go above and beyond with play-by-play information, using Massachusetts sšŸŽports betting news and making the most of theiā™’r TV credentials.

Pros:
  • Play-by-play adds an extra dimension
  • Great variety of odds on many events
  • Trusted brand with great reputation
Cons:
  • Not as broad market coverage outside the US

4. Caesars Sportsbook ā€“ An International All-Star

caesars massachusetts homepage screenshot
(Source: Caesars Sportsbook)

Caesars purchased William Hill back in 2021, which might be how they manage to be so comprehensive when it comes to global markets. If you want to go beyond what is typically offered in Massachusetts or even the States, this is the place to be. Huge sports coverage, bšŸŒ ig and small events from all across the world, with odds thź¦«at never drop standards.

And these are made even better with a fantastic promotional page. The welcome offers kick things off with a bang and that is then continued with Caesars Rewards. I donā€™t think any other legal sports betting in Massachusetts option has so many ways and incentives to play. And the site is as sturdy, beautifully structured, and technically impeccą“œable, making it one of the best sports betting app Massachusetts can provide.

This is a great site if youā€™re looking for a true jack šŸˆof all trades, one without much in the way of gimmicks but just provides a solid betting experience throughout.

Pros:
  • Truly global market options
  • Caesars rewards program is terrific
  • Mobile app is a delight
Cons:
  • Nothing particularly unique about whatā€™s being offered

5. Fanatics ā€“ A Mobile Marvel

fanatics homepage screenshot
(Source: Fanatics Sportsbook)

This is a mobile-only operator, so if you ā›Žprefer to place yā™our bets on a computer, youā€™ll have to go with another option. However, if youā€™re looking for a Massachusetts sports betting app, thereā€™s arguably none better.

Theyā€™ve got a massive 4.7 ratą¦“ing on the Apple App Store, and considering the variety of excellent odds on offer as part of a world class, in-depth yet ultra intuitive platform, Iā€™m not surprised. Were this all they provided, that would be enough.

But theyā€™re also one of the most innovative option Massachusetts sports betting has yet produced, with FanCash providing percentage across various bets, tons of odds boost, and a withdrawal tracker so you can keep on top of your winnings at everyšŸ—¹ step.

Best of all is the personalized aspect, this sports betting app remembers your habits and provides unique promotions and recommendations just for you.

Pros:
  • Innovative features
  • An experience tailored to your preferences
  • Interactive and fluid navigation
Cons:
  • Mobile only wonā€™t suit all

Massachusetts mobile sports betting is already up there amongst the best places to bet portably in the United Statesź¦”. Thatā€™s because every single ošŸ°ne of my favorite operators also have excellent mobile options on both iOS and Android for you to enjoy.

Therefore, if you like to bet on the go, youā€™ll never need to compromise with Massachusetts sports betting apps.

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    FanDuel duo of apps: FanDuel go further than any operator in crafting a place where a total newcomer can learn the ropes. And their app not only has those features but also provides an even more intuitive design on both iOS and Android. Plus, thereā€™s no loss of betting options either on the traš“°ditional sportsbook or the fantasy betting side of things.

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    BetMGM is hugely popular whatever your device: Head on over to either the Google Play or Apple App Store and youā€™ll discover that BetMGM provides one of the most acclaimed mobile experiences in Massachusetts. What they offer is simple ā€” everything that makes their desktop options great availaą½§ble on a single app without any slowdown.

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    Caesars brings the big time to the small screen: Every one of my Massachusetts sports betting recommendations comes with a remarkable number of betting options. Even so, Caesarsā€™ ability to keep everything structurally sound and technically reliable with the sheer number of features, markets and live options here remains remarkable. Aź§‹pps are available on both iOS and Android.

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    ESPN BET is best on mobile: In my opinion, this is an operator which isnā€™t just good on iOS and Android mobile apps, but is actually at its peak when played portably. Their features, such as the great statistics and plašŸƒy-by-play infošŸ“–rmation, is even better presented for easier access and understanding.

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    Fanatics is mobile only,ā™› so all the wonderful things I have to say about them in their general review also count for their Massachusetts sports betting appÜ«s.

The quality and variety of options already available in The Bay State is staggering, and one of the things that makes it so interesting is the collection of world-class Massachusetts sports betting promos that are already available. Let's take a look at a couple of my favorites to give you an idea of the type of offers availabź§ƒle.

BetMGM: Up to $1500 as a Refund in Bonus Bets If You Donā€™t Win First Time

Perhaps the best way of thinking about this kind of promotion is that it offers you two opportunities to win your first bet. Because if you fail the first time, youā€™ll be given the stake amount back in a free bet which must be wagered, so essentially you get to try again with $1,500 BetMGM bonus as your maximum.

All thatā€™s required from you is to sigÜ«n up, download the app, and make a bet of $10 or more. If you lose, the same amount will be given back to you, available for use on both parlays and straight bets within seven days. Great terms and suitability for casual players and big bettors alike make this a real standout.

FanDuel: Get Up to $150 When You Bet $5

If youā€™re feeling optimistic about your initial chances, then this mammoth welcome offer from FanDuel could be perfect. Deposit 10 bucks and make a moneyline wager of $5. If it wins, you receive $150 worth of bonuses available to use multiple times straightš“ƒ² from your bet slip on all markets except round robins. The best betting promotions are those which hešŸ¦‚lp you explore a site, and Iā€™d say that $150 for such a small initial deposit and bet perfectly fulfills those criteria.

It's time for all the relevant practicalities. For instance, is sports betting legal in Massachusetts? Absolutely. But there are variables between states, so here are the other key things you will want to know to ensure youā€™re not let down by any sports betting apps Massachuā™setts has to offer.

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    Governor CharlšŸ¼ie Baker signed House Bill No 5164 to legalize and regušŸ’®late online sports betting in Massachusetts on August 10th 2022.

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    This does not incluš’‰°de any regulation for online casinos.

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    Retail sports betting launšŸ¦©ched on January 31st, 2023, whšŸŒile mobile sports betting became legal on March 10th the same year.

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    You must be 21 years or older and physically located in the state, as verified by a downloadable desk plugin or geolocation tech on your phone, to legally place bets šŸ…˜in the state.

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    All major professional spoš“†‰rts are ą± legal to bet on, as is college betting with the exception of in-state college teams, which is forbidden.

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    Sites aāœ±re licensed and regulated by the Massachusetts Gaming Comį©šį©šį©šį©šį©šį©šā¤ā¤ā¤ā¤į©šā¤ā¤ā¤ā¤į©šā¤ā¤ā¤ā¤į©šš’€±į©šį©šį©šmission (MGC).

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    Retail sports betting outlets have a fš’ŠŽšŸŽƒlat tax rate of 15%, while online operators are taxed at 20%.

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    All your sports winnings are subjectź¦æ to Massachusetts sports betting tax just like any otherą¶£ income. The rate is based on your income and losses are deductible.

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    Up to 15 online sports betting licenses are currently permitted ź§…under Massachusetts law.

Sports betting in Massachusetts may still be in its rookie year but there are already plenty of fantastic places to bet on your favorite sports both online and in-person. Wondering what sports betting aāœ±pps are legal in Massachusetts right now? Hereā€™s everyāœ±thing we know, alongside the physical locations.

Massachusetts Online & Mobile Sportsbooks

Licensed Massachusetts SportsbookAvailable Online in Massachusetts Now?Massachusetts Land-Based Partner
CaesarsYesRaynham Park
FanDuelYesN/A
DraftKingsYesN/A
BetMGMYesMGN Springfield
WynnBETYesEncore Boston Harbor
ESPN BETYesPlainridge Park Casino
BetrYesN/A
FanaticsYesN/A
Bally BetNoN/A
BetwayNoBelterra Park

Land-Based Massachusetts Sportsbooks

SportsbookLocation
Encore Boston Harbor1 Broadway, Everett, MA 02149
Plainridge Park Casino301 Washington St, Plainville, MA 02762
MGM SpringfieldOne MGM Wy, Springfield, MA 01103

Massachusetts is a state of truly versatile sporting tastes. A mixture of American and international sports are part and parcel of their cultural make-up. Iā€™ve selected three of šŸ’Žthe most popular to provide just a small example, including events specific promotions, from Massachusetts sportšŸ’Æs betting sites.

Ice Hockey

Aside from the immensely popular and successful Boston Bruins, Massachusetts is also one of the great American states for emerging hockey talent with several major college ice hockey teams calling ā€œThe Bay State homeā€. These may not be available to bet on (no in-state college teams betting is allowed according to the Massachusetts Sports Betting Bill) but it showcases the passion Massachusetts has for hockey at all levelšŸŒøs.

American Football

There arenā€™t many states in which American Football is not considered one of the most popular. This is especially so in Massachusetts though, where the New England Patriots inspires a huge passionate fandom, and lowerą¼’ league games are also often packed to the rafters. Itā€™s great to be an American football fan from a betting perspective too, with many of the biggest and most generous promotions being available on the likes of the SuperBowl and various big NFL conference confronā™Štations.

Baseball

If youā€™re looking for something a little bit different to bet on through your personal pick for the best sports betting app Massachusetts has to offer, baseball is an ideal choice. For starters, itā€™s massively popular in Massachusetts with many minor league teams shoring up the leftover enthusiasm in between outings from the iconic Boston Red Sox, which means tons of markets at all kinds of levels. Itā€™s also a sport with a slowšŸ½er pace than many other popular options, ideal for strategic live betting and over/under markets thanks to its high scorinš•“g nature.

Itā€™s only the professional Massachusetts teams you can bet on as there are additional rules for in-state college teams. The good news here is that this great sporting state is a major player across several top-tier profā™’essional leagues. For instance, legalized sports betting Massachusetts can allow you to bet on the following thrillinšŸ§”g local sports teams.

Boston Red Sox

While they might not be at their peak right now, The Boston Red Sox have made their legacy with historic comebacks, and you know that rapid fan base will be waiting to cheer for them when they do. They are, after all, the nine-time World Series Championships winners, icons and legends of the sportā™” who dominated several generations of baseball.

New England Patriots

Iā€™d never make assumptions about the potential of the New England Patriots. Most would assume they would never recapture their 1960/70s heyday but three SuperBowl Championships in a five-year span between 2014-2018 showed that their history making potential is limitless. Thatā€™s why, even in the bašŸ¦„d times (and 2023 has been just that), they are always worthy of your atteš’…Œntion.

Boston Celtics

The Boston Celtics are a force to be reckoned with every NBA season. Consider for instance, their Conference title in 2022 and Division titles in 2022 and 2023 (they lost to the Golden State Warriors in a nerve-shredding showdown at the 2022 NBA Finals) as recent examples of their accolades. Every season and in every game, they are contenders to win the whole thing, and that makes for a thrilling team to bet on.

With legalized sports betting in Massachusetts becoming a reality, there are plenty of benefits for tšŸ…˜hose sports fans in the Bay State lookļ·ŗing to place wagers. Below are five key difference of legal Massachusetts sports betting today to showcase how far the industry in the state has come in a short amount of time.

1. Your Personal Safety

If you choose to bet online in a state where gambling is illegal, then you are either obscuring your location from the operator or that betting site is operating illegally. Either way, should therź§’e be any dispute regarding payouts, you will have virtually no ability to attempt to retrieve those funds since you have wagered them outside the confines of the law.

Furthermore, a site that is already operating without a license is much more likely to lack in security, including the absence of encryption, having unfair or dishonest terms, and in general ways in which you could find yourself ripped off. Only ever use legal sports betting Massachusetts sites.

2. A Focus on Massachusetts Sports

An additional benefit to the Massachusetts Sports Betting Bill is that there are betting sites which are focused solely on providing the best online gaming experience possible for the people of that jurisdiction. This means thereā€™s more coverage of local sports and competitions, with competitive odds.

3. No Need for Cryptocurrency

As mentioned, without the Massachusetts Sports Betting Bill, your options were limited. Most people in an illegal gambling state who wish to circumvent the law do so with cryptocurrency betting. And sites which offer crypto can be excellent, but it certainly isnā€™t for everyone, and the ability to play with the American dollar massively broadens their appeal.

4. Promotional Access

Another problem with using betting sites youā€™re not legally supposed to is that youā€™re probably going to be locked out of all the promotions. Well, since sports betting is legal in Massachusetts, it includes full access to a huge selection of bonus offers tailored specifically to your jurisdiction.

5. Still More To Come

Because itā€™s still such early days, itā€™s important to note that we havenā€™t seen every operator, promotion or benefit that will come fšŸ‰rom legalization. And that, in itself, is another reason to be excited for the future of Massachusetts online sports betting!

Betting online in Maą¶£ssachušŸ¦©setts is both legal and easy. Hereā€™s all you need to know, step by step, to get started legally betting on your favorite sports.

Step One: Research Your Options

There are currently eight sportsbooks for you to choose from, with a couple more on the way, but itšŸøā€™s still a small enough number for you to check them out and see which best suits your play style. I recommend you start with my picks as I think they represent the best the state has to offer right now.

Step Two: Register With Whatever Best Suits Your Play Style

Found the right one for you? Time to register. This should be a standard form, and some might even allow you to sign up using yošŸŒƒur Google or social media accounts. If not, just fill in the basic information, cošŸ¤Ŗnfirm your age and that you accept the terms, and youā€™re good to go.

Step Three: Add Some Funds

Some, like FanDuel, might actually let you play for free to try them out, and no-deposit offers are possible. However, if you do need to add funds, nowā€™s the time to do it. If you think you still might change your mind, then make sure that you only deposit a small amount to start off with. This is generally done by choosing a payment method on a deposit page, filling out the relevant info, and confirming the amount you wish to add. Most methods are instant.

Step Four: Select a Market

ą¶£ Now, it's time to scour the betting markets available and choose one you wish to bet on.

Step Five: Place Your Bet

Once one is found, youā€™ll gā™“enerally have to click the odds to add them to your bet slip. You can then add how much you wish to bet, and the returns will be made clear toā™‘ you. If youā€™re happy with whatā€™s offered, confirm your bet.

You can withdraw your winnings by again providing some simple payment info and telling them how much you wish to take out. Withdrawal can take up to a week depending on the payment method.

Launch dateMarch 10th, 2023
Legal age 21
Retail bettingYes
Online sports bettingYes
Esports bettingNo
College bettingYes (but no in-state college betting)
Mobile bettingYes
Taxable winningsAll winnings are taxable
Geolocation servicesYes
RegulatorMassachusetts Gaming Commission

The Bay State is looking at a huge sports betting handle for 2023 with well over $3 billion bet so far. Total revenue based on the most recent information I could find was $3,673,884,253, which amounts to $71,959,964. It will be higher than that when all is said and done in 2023, especially when you consider that the biggest Massachusetts sports betting handle came at $654.4 million wagered on sports in November ā€” up 12% from the previous month.

This is believed to in part be down to the addition of ESPN BET to the liź§‘neup of operators, which means that higher handles are likely as more betting sites join an alš„¹ready star-studded selection.

The Massachusetts Sports Betting Bill made it clear that responsible gaming would be taken very seriously asź¦‰ part of ongoing legislation and the provision of licenses.

For instance, the Massachusetts Gaming Commission utilizes a framework to commit to corporate soą½§cial responsibility, supporš’ˆ”t positive play, ensure responsible marketing, carefully manage high-risk financial transactions; it promotes public health and safety in the retail environments, engages the community and commits to ongoing improvement and reporting.

What this means on a practical level is that every operator you utilize should have a serious responsible gaming policy. This may include links to tā™he likes of the , and the , alongside practical tools such as time-outs, deposit limits and reality checks.

Iā€™m happy to say that if youā€™re a US citizen, you are more likely to be in a jurisdiction where sports betting is legal than not. The current total stands at over 30 states offering legal betting, as yā„±ou canź§‹ see from the full list of legal sports betting states below:

Itā€™s great to see that a great sporting state like Massachusetts finally šŸ’™has legal access to sportsbooks worthy of this historic slice of New England. The operators that have already jumped in to take advantage of sports betting in Massachusetts are some of the finest globally.

Having taken a closer look, itā€™s clear they are doing everything they can to make their Massachusetts offering as compelling as possible. This means competitive odds,šŸŒ  great platforms (including magnificent mobile options), top-tier customer š’service, plus exciting and generous promotions. Things will surely get even better, but I can recommend finding one that suits you right now.

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Sports betting is already legal in the state š’ˆ”of Massachusetts, including both retail and mobile options, as of Marchā™ 10th, 2023.

As of now, there šŸ“are licenses for Caesars, FanDuel, DraftKings, BetMGM, WynnBet, ESPN BET, Betr, Fanatics, Bally Bet, and Betway. Do note, however, that the latter two have not yet launched at šŸ„ƒthe time of writing.

The MašŸ‘ssachusetts Gaming Commission oversees all legal online betting and licensing in Massachusetts.

Right now, you can bet online at FanDuel, DraftKings, BetMGM, WynnBet, ESPN BET, Betr, Fanatics, and Caesars. You can bešŸŽƒt in person at the retail locations Encore Boston Harbor, Plainridge Park Casino, MGM Springfield.

Any resident over the age of 21 in Massachusetā™”ts is legally able to bet on sports so long as they are in that jurisdiction when the bet is placed.

Ben has been writing professionally for over a decade. His articles are a great outlet for hšŸ˜¼is inexhaustible supply of sporting facts and enthusiasm. He resides in Yorkshire, where his work is powered by the ever-present sound of a kettle.

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