HomeDaily Fantasy Sports in Massachusetts

Daily fantasy sports in Massachusetts

This page contains information about Daily Fantasy Sports (DFS) operators in Massachusetts, including how to get signed up and tips for DFS success.

Dan Bradley By: Dan Bradley
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Yes, DFS is legal in Massachusetts. The state legalized daily fantasy sports contests in September 2015 with a few key provisions in place.

First, contests were limited to players who were at least 21 years of age. This age requirement is in line with Massachusetts’ regulations for both sports betting and casino gambling.

Next, professional athletes are prohibited from participation, as are those who are associated with teams (in both on- and off-field capacities). This is because they could have direct knowledge that isn’t publicly available which could provide an unfair advantage.

Finally, DFS operators are barred from advertising to high school and college students. This goes hand in hand with the laws regarding MA sportsbooks, as there are several DFS platforms that also offer sports gambling.

Best Daily Fantasy Sports Sites in Massachusetts

Here are a few of the best daily fantasy sports sites in Massachusetts.

DraftKings Massachusetts Logo

DraftKings

DraftKings was founded in Boston in 2012 on MLB Opening Day. According to the Massachusetts Gaming Commission, by gross fantasy wagering receipts, it is the most popular DFS platform in Massachusetts by a large margin.

FanDuel Massachusetts Logo

FanDuel

FanDuel and DraftKings tend to go hand in hand with each other, and while the former hasn’t seen quite the same prominence in MA as the latter, it is still one of the widest-reaching platforms. It also has one of the largest number of DFS contests available each day.

PrizePicks Massachusetts Logo

PrizePicks

PrizePicks is the closest operator to DK’s dominance in the Massachusetts market. The playstyle is somewhat different, where instead of trying to set a traditional fantasy lineup, you’re picking over/unders on players’ stat totals for a given category. Payouts can yield as much as a 25x return on your stake depending how many lines you predict correctly.

How to start playing Daily Fantasy Sports in Massachusetts

The exact process of registering for a daily fantasy sports site in Massachusetts will vary a bit depending on the platform you’re using, but the general steps will look something like this.

  1. Navigate to the registration form: Most DFS sites will have a “Join Now” or “Sign Up” button located in the top right corner of their home page. Look for it after you’ve logged on to the site.
  2. Set up account credentials: When setting up your account access, you’ll need to provide an email address and password. You may also need to come up with a unique username depending on the site you’re using.
  3. Enter a promo code: MABetting.com is working to secure promo codes with top Massachusetts DFS sites. Keep checking in with our site so you secure the best available bonus when registering.
  4. Confirm your identity: Next, you’ll need to verify that you are old enough to participate in DFS contests in Massachusetts and that you aren’t prohibited from playing because of your profession or any other discriminating factor. To do this, you’ll need to submit your legal name, home address, date of birth, and (on most sites) the last four digits of your social security number.
  5. Make a deposit: Finally, you’ll need to deposit money into your account before you can play on a DFS site, even if you only plan to use bonus credits to make your picks. Sites will have differing lists of approved deposit methods, so be sure to check carefully before signing up.

Which DFS leagues can I wager on in Massachusetts?

The “Big Four” North American sports leagues tend to dominate DFS sites, but you won't necessarily be limited to those four. Here are some of the top DFS leagues you can wager on in Massachusetts.

  • NFL: The NFL is the top dog at U.S. sports betting markets, and that popularity extends to DFS operators. Most daily fantasy sports sites will set up contests akin to a fantasy football auction draft, where you’ll have a budget to fill your roster but with different prices assigned to players based on their matchups, recent performances, and overall skill set.
  • MLB: The lengthy MLB season (162 regular season games) provides ample opportunity for playing DFS contests. It can also be somewhat easier to predict in the long term because you have a larger sample size for data when doing your research than what would be available for other professional leagues.
  • NHL/NBA: We combined the NHL and NBA because their similar league calendars and nightly schedules allow for some overlap. On sites like PrizePicks, you could combine the leagues to include, for example, taking David Pastrnak with over 3.5 shots on goal and Jayson Tatum over 26.5 points.
  • PGA: Golf DFS events can be broken down over individual days or an entire weekend tournament. Beyond winning money as a prize, we’ve also seen daily fantasy sports operators offering golf clubs and sporting event tickets.

Expert tips for playing Daily Fantasy Sports in Massachusetts

Here are a few of our top expert tips for playing daily fantasy sports in Massachusetts.

  • Build strategies in smaller contests: While winning big is always the dream, focusing on consistent performances is more important. Seek out events that not only have smaller prize pools but also have a smaller maximum number of entrants to increase your odds of winning and to develop your contest strategies.
  • Information is your friend: The more relevant statistics you’re able to access before making your DFS plays, the better. Because many DFS players are also betting on the games and players involved, you can typically rely on betting experts you follow and trust to provide you with matchup insights, key trends, and breakout players to watch for when building your teams.
  • Pay attention to Vegas: Watching the movement in betting lines for individual players’ in-game events can help you predict the outcomes for your DFS teams. Vegas isn’t perfect, but the expert oddsmakers are experts for a reason. Using sportsbook lines as a frame of reference when you build your rosters will help you find value and win on a more consistent basis.

Timeline of Daily Fantasy Sports legislation in Massachusetts

  • 2006: The Unlawful Internet Gambling Enforcement Act prohibits gambling operators from accepting money for internet betting activities online that would violate state and federal laws. Because the daily fantasy sports industry was not established in the U.S. at this time, the bill’s language did not specify whether DFS was a prohibited activity. This left states to either allow or prohibit the practice, though some states have left DFS in a legal gray area, neither legalizing nor criminalizing DFS operators or participants.
  • 2012: Daily fantasy sports powerhouse DraftKings debuts in Boston ahead of MLB Opening Day.
  • 2016: The Massachusetts legislature legalizes DFS operators to run contests in the state with the passage of Bill H.4569, a larger bill that also focused on job creation and workplace development in the Commonwealth.
  • 2017: DraftKings and FanDuel settle with the Massachusetts Attorney General resulting in payments of $1.3 million from each company over allegations of “unfair and deceptive business practices” before the 2016 legalization.
  • 2024: Massachusetts Attorney General Andrea Joy Campbell sends cease and desist letters to 10 DFS operators that were running “pick’em” contests, under the mindset that these contests cross the line between fantasy sports and sports betting and fall into the latter category. This included sites like Sleeper, Yahoo! Daily Fantasy Sports, and Sleepers.

FAQ

Which is the most popular DFS site in Massachusetts?

The most popular DFS site in Massachusetts is DraftKings. Founded in Boston in 2012, DK is trending to be the first daily fantasy sports operator in MA to surpass $5 million in gross fantasy wagering receipts. The site is expected to pass that milestone in the spring of 2024.

When was DFS legalized in Massachusetts?

DFS was legalized in Massachusetts in 2016 as part of H.4569. Massachusetts was the ninth state to legalize daily fantasy sports operations.

Author Details

Dan Bradley

Dan Bradley

Dan Bradley, a betting analyst and author at MA Betting, brings extensive experience from over a decade as a hockey commentator for junior teams in Illinois, Minnesota, and Ohio. When he's not engaged in writing or co-hosting his NHL-focused podcast, "Pod Snipe Celly," Dan is frequently seen at the rink, immersed in the hockey world.