In this guide, we’ll lay out what online sportsbooks operate in Massachusetts, how we rate them in our sportsbook reviews, and the advantages of playing online vs. in person.
Massachusetts legalized online sports betting in August of 2022, and since its launch in March 2023, the industry has already seen sustained growth and further expansion. To date, 7 Massachusetts sportsbooks have gone live, with other operators rumored to be on the way.
In this guide, we’ll lay out what online sportsbooks operate in Massachusetts, how we rate them in our sportsbook reviews, and the advantages of playing online vs. in person.
The 7 Massachusetts sportsbooks all offer something unique to separate themselves from their competitors. Here is a quick overview of each operator, along with the best feature. For more detailed information, be sure to check out our sportsbook reviews for each platform.
🏀 DraftKings Sportsbook MA | ⭐ Massive selection of live betting markets |
🏀 Caesars Sportsbook MA | ⭐ Player-focused product with top welcome bonuses |
🏀 BetMGM Sportsbook MA | ⭐ Gold standard loyalty program & live streaming |
🏀 FanDuel Sportsbook MA | ⭐ User-friendly app, great for same game parlays |
🏀 Fanatics Sportsbook MA | ⭐ Earn “FanCash” for wagers and merchandise |
🏀 ESPN Bet Sportsbook MA | ⭐ Integration with ESPN platforms |
Yes, sportsbooks are legal in Massachusetts. The commonwealth legalized sports betting in August 2022 and was quick to launch, with the first operators accepting wagers in March of 2023.
Legal sportsbooks are regulated by the Massachusetts Gaming Commission (MGC) and must pass through a review process before being allowed to operate.
MA Betting has reviewed all legitimate sports betting operators, giving them thorough critiques with an overall score to help you figure out the strengths and weaknesses of each platform. We rate MA sportsbooks using the following criteria.
Betting online is often the most convenient way to play, making it a very favorable option for MA gamblers. Here are some of the advantages and disadvantages of betting using Massachusetts online sportsbooks.
In-person betting is still the preference for some seasoned gambling veterans, and you’re rarely more than two hours away from a retail sportsbook in Massachusetts. Here are the physical locations in the commonwealth where you can place a wager.
Massachusetts has some of the top sportsbooks anywhere in the country, and the list of licensed operators may continue to grow. Here are 10 interesting facts about MA sportsbooks.
The biggest difference between online and retail sportsbooks in MA is where you play: online is from a desktop computer or mobile device while retail sportsbooks require in-person play. However, there are a few other key differences to note and consider.
First, retail sportsbooks and online sportsbooks see winnings taxed at different rates. In Massachusetts, retail sportsbooks see a 15% excise tax on winnings; this percentage jumps up to 20% for online betting.
Another key difference is the availability of bonuses and loyalty rewards. Retail sportsbooks won’t hand you a bonus bet or give you a second chance to win with the same stake following a loss, but either could be within reach when betting online.
Finally, social engagement and interaction are another noticeable difference. While online operators have tried to make platforms more social by showcasing trending parlays or highlighting recent winners, there’s no great way to replicate the atmosphere of a retail location.
Offshore sportsbooks have been around for years, but because they operate outside of any state or federal jurisdiction, they aren’t held to the same standards for fair play, customer service/protection, banking, and cybersecurity and should be avoided for these reasons. You also won’t be able to have any legal claim to winnings if the offshore bookie engages in any shady behaviors, meaning you could see a winning wager canceled or paid out at a much smaller and more drawn-out rate than with a legal operator. Simply put, they aren’t safe.
You can recognize offshore sportsbooks and spot the differences from a legal operator by trying to find a “Legal” section on the offshore bookie’s platform. Legal Massachusetts bookmakers will proudly display their license from the MGC while offshore bookies will try to distract away from licenses or fail to make any MGC references on their site.
Additionally, you can tell based on the URL of the betting site. Legal operators will almost always end in a “.com” domain name while offshore books will likely have “.lv” or “.ag.”
Finally, any site offering to take cryptocurrency should raise a red flag. Because cryptocurrencies operate in an unregulated marketplace, licensed U.S. sportsbooks aren’t able to accept them as forms of payment. Because offshore books don’t need to abide by the same laws, they can choose to accept them, but again, this is a sign to stay away from a hazardous operation.
Signing up for an online sportsbook in Massachusetts may look a bit different based on where you’re choosing to play, but there are a few steps that will be the same wherever you’re wagering, especially the personal information required by law when creating a sportsbook account. Here are the steps you’ll need to take to register.
The Massachusetts Gaming Commission (MGC) regulates online sportsbooks in Massachusetts. The Commission also oversees casino operations, the state lottery, and horse racing in the state.
According to the MGC’s mission statement, the goal of the commission is “to create and maintain a fair, transparent, and participatory process” for Massachusetts’ gaming law expansions. Through issuing licenses, setting return-to-player requirements for casino play, and establishing standards for customer safety and harm reduction, the MGC maintains a level playing field for bettors and operators alike.
Massachusetts is home to six professional sports teams that compete in major leagues with several others that compete at a semi-professional or minor league level and may still be available at MA sportsbooks. Here are some of the most popular teams to bet on in Massachusetts.
Each Massachusetts online sportsbook will have a list of payment methods that is slightly different than what other operators in the state make available. However, there are a few near-ubiquitous options you can count on virtually anywhere you play.
The history of sportsbooks in Massachusetts is still relatively young, but it has already seen several key acts of legislation as the industry continues to grow. Here are some of the key dates in the state’s sports betting history.
Yes, you can play DFS in Massachusetts, but most operators with DFS and sportsbook platforms tend to keep the two separate. This is to help further differentiate daily fantasy sports contests from more traditional sports betting. In some states, DFS contests and sports gambling have different age requirements, though, in MA, you must be 21 to participate in either of the two.
Yes, online sportsbooks are available in Massachusetts. There are eight sportsbooks that currently operate in MA: ESPN Bet, BetMGM, Betr, Caesars, DraftKings, Fanatics, FanDuel, and WynnBET.
Yes, it is safe to bet on Massachusetts sportsbooks. Gambling platforms that are licensed by the Massachusetts Gaming Commission (MGC) are required to maintain rigid standards for consumer safety and fair play. Sportsbooks that don’t comply with MGC regulations are subject to massive fines and legal consequences including losing their license to operate in MA, so you can trust these licensed platforms are safe to use.
The minimum age to sign up for MA sportsbooks is 21. The 21+ age requirement covers all sports gambling and daily fantasy sports (DFS) contest entry under Massachusetts law.
Yes, sportsbooks in Massachusetts will track your IP and location. This is to ensure that you are physically located within the state while making your wagers and verify that you are gambling in a legal manner. They will not track your browser history, social media accounts, or any other online data.
The “best” sportsbook bonuses in MA will vary from player to player depending on things like what betting odds they like to play and how budget-friendly each offer is. DraftKings and FanDuel tend to have more frequent lower-end promos while Caesars and BetMGM tend to have welcome bonuses totaling $1,000 in bonus bets or more.
Depending on the operator you’re using and the transaction type, you can usually cash out your MA sportsbook winnings within 24 hours for a review period. Then, it can take another 1-3 business days for funds to reach your bank account.