It’s all change in the Bay State now that Massachusetts sports betting has been legalized, as you can place bets on all your favorite sporting events, both in person and online..
I’ve been checking out what you can and can’t do in terms of betting on sports, as well as taking a look at your sportsbook options. And I’ve got some news about promo offers too, which can help your wagering get off to a flying start and give an extra boost to your bankroll.
State regulator | Massachusetts Gaming Authority |
---|---|
Legal betting age | 21 |
Retail sports betting | ✅ |
Online sports betting | ✅ |
Retail casinos | ✅ |
Online casinos | ❌ |
Online poker | ❌ |
Online horse racing | ✅ |
Betting on college sports | ✅ |
Betting on eSports | ❌ |
Retail tax rate | 15% |
Online tax rate | 20% |
If you’d asked me that question right at the very beginning of January 2023 I’d have been obliged to say that although it was theoretically legal, there were still no licensed and regulated sportsbooks accepting bets from Bay State residents. But that all changed in January, when retail sportsbooks launched, followed by online platforms just a few weeks later in March 2023.
The January 31st 2023 retail sports betting launch saw Massachusetts sports enthusiasts heading to the three bricks-and-mortar casinos offering the chance to place sporting wagers. They could stay home to place online bets by mid-March, seven months after Governor Charlie Baker signed the bill passing the activity into law.
You can expect to benefit from some of the top Massachusetts sportsbook promos, as each of the available platforms does its best to rise above the online noise. They all want to stand out from the crowd, and there’s no better way of attracting new customers than by offering a boost to your bankroll right from the beginning.
I’ve selected some of the top offers currently available to Bay State sports bettors, and you can find out the full details in the detailed platform reviews and bonus guides available here at Dunkorthree.com. Not only do they give you an overview of the terms and conditions of each bonus, but they also let you know about any specific promo codes required to activate the offer.
It doesn’t matter whether your first qualifying bet wins or loses, it qualifies you to receive 2 x $50, and 1 x $58 bonus bet credits.
The introductory promotion at DraftKings only comes into play if your first sporting wager of $5 or more loses. You’ll receive your stake back as a bonus bet – and there’s an SGP insurance offer too, in which you’ll receive a reward if one leg loses.
All new signups at the FanDuel sportsbook in Massachusetts only need to wager $5 to qualify for up to $200 in bonus bets.
The introductory offer at Caesars is similar to the bonus bet promotion at DraftKings. Place your first sports wager of up to $1,000 and have your stake returned as bonus bet credits if it loses.
Although 10 sportsbook platforms have been approved by the Massachusetts Gaming Commission, to date only eight of them are active in the state. And I can highly recommend the following four options in particular. I’ve tried to include something to appeal to all types of sports fans, whatever your wagering budget and level of sports betting experience.
There’s no mistaking the BetMGM brand, which is the result of the 2018 partnership between the powerhouses of MGM Resorts International and Entain Holdings. This ensures access to some of the best sports betting opportunities available throughout the Bay State, encompassing niche sports in addition to the most popular options. You’ll find some of the top parlay odds boosts on this platform, although if you prefer straight bets you’ll find special promotions that could give any winnings an extra edge. But it’s the BetMGM Rewards program that’s the main event on this platform. You’ll receive a minimum 20 points for every $100 you wager, which you could redeem for discounted hospitality at the BetMGM Resort of your choice.
DraftKings makes it easy for everyone to get started with online sports betting, from seasoned bettors to those just starting out. There are streamlined apps available for iOS and Android devices, ensuring a smooth wagering experience across a huge selection of sports and bet types. The platform offers early Cash Out on some fixtures, as well as Same Game Parlays and live betting. There’s live streaming too, for some fixtures, so you can watch the game, and react in real time to maximize your wagering opportunities and help you to take full advantage of them with a few well-timed promotions.
If you’re about to embark on your first sports betting journey, FanDuel definitely deserves a place on your shortlist. The intuitive interface ensures you’ll be able to get straight down to wagering, with useful guides on hand as reference points to help you further your knowledge. Odds at FanDuel are always competitive when first announced, but they tend to become less so as the event draws closer. There are some excellent odds boosts that could work in your favor though, with live betting and streaming to help you keep up with the latest results.
Ever since Caesars acquired the William Hill sportsbook brand in 2021, it’s rapidly become a force to be reckoned with in the online sports betting industry. Not only was it one of the first platforms to launch in the Bay State in March 2023, but it’s also the source of some of the best rewards in the business, rivaling BetMGM with its offers and promotions. All wagers contribute to the Caesars Rewards program, awarding Credits that you can redeem for bonus bets, and tickets to real fixtures, as well as discounts against hospitality at Caesars resorts.
Although there are up to 15 sports betting licenses available in the Bay State, only eight brands have launched at the time of writing. All of the following platforms have been approved by the Massachusetts Gaming Commission, along with Bally Bet, which intends to go live at some point during 2024:
Since early in 2023 sports bettors in the Bay State have had a number of options available to them, both online and at retail locations. A total of 15 online licenses were made available, of which, seven were allocated to standalone platforms. But retail sports betting licenses were also offered at the following locations, each of which has also been awarded two online skins:
Suffolk Downs and Raynham Park are now also licensed to provide retail sports betting in Massachusetts. Each location is permitted to partner with a retail and online operator, with Raynham Park selecting Caesars sportsbook.
Online sportsbook | Launch date | Retail partner | Retail sportsbook | Odds provider |
---|---|---|---|---|
BetMGM | March 2023 | MGM Springfield | BetMGM Sportsbook | BetMGM |
DraftKings | March 2023 | n/a | n/a | SBTech |
FanDuel | March 2023 | n/a | n/a | Flutter |
Caesars | March 2023 | Encore Boston Harbor | Caesars at Raynham Park | Caesars |
ESPN BET | November 2023 | n/a | n/a | PENN |
Fanatics | May 2023 | Plainridge Park | TBA | Amelco |
Betr (exiting soon) | May 2023 | n/a | n/a | Simplebet |
WynnBET (exiting soon) | March 2023 | n/a | n/a | GAN |
Sportsbook | Launch date | Venue | Address |
---|---|---|---|
BetMGM | Jan 2023 | MGM Springfield | 1 MGM Wy, Springfield, MA 01103 |
The Sportsbook | Jan 2023 | Plainridge Park Casino | 301 Washington St, Plainville, MA 02762 |
I’m sure you’re keen to discover what it takes to be able to enjoy wagering on your favorite sporting events in the Bay State, so here are the key points you need to be aware of.
Sports betting is legal in Massachusetts for all residents aged 21 or over. Although some jurisdictions allow bettors to get started at the age of 18 or 19, Massachusetts most definitely isn’t one of them, at least for the time being. This isn’t something you can swerve – it’s a legal requirement for all bettors to verify their age using photo ID and at least the last 4 digits of your SSN before you can register and start betting, either online or in person.
With states all adopting their own approach to the subject of legal sports betting, strict boundaries are upheld. Geolocation software is used to ensure you can’t cross state lines and keep on having access to your Massachusetts sportsbook.
Sports bettors across the state can now head for any one of 5 locations. Sports betting licenses have been awarded to three casinos – Plainridge Park, MGM Springfield and Encore Boston Harbor. But you also now have the option of betting in person at Suffolk Downs and Raynham Park too, giving a choice of destinations.
Massachusetts has made 15 licenses available in total, with a focus on the mobile sports betting experience. Seven of those licenses have been offered as untethered mobile options, while 8 operators are permitted to partner with retail locations, giving a broad selection of options whether you favor your laptop, PC or smartphone for your sports betting experience.
Some states make it a legal requirement to confirm your identity in person at a retail location before you can wager online. That’s not the case when it comes to betting in Massachusetts, so you can easily sign up to your preferred online sportsbook without having to leave the comfort of your own home.
Although the sportsbooks themselves are obliged to pay state taxes, it’s also the responsibility of bettors in Massachusetts to declare any winnings arising from sports bets, whether online or at a retail location. Sports bet winnings are taxed at 5% state tax and 24% federal tax.
Whenever another state lifts the ban on sports betting, all the big names gather in the hope of claiming one of the coveted licenses. That was certainly the case once the necessary law was passed in the Bay State, with some of the biggest names in the industry being first in the queue. It should come as little surprise to any sports betting enthusiast that DraftKings, FanDuel, BetMGM and Caesars were all front runners, and successful ones too, as each platform is now available in Massachusetts.
Whether you’re keen to start with retail or online betting in Massachusetts, the process is the same – you’ll need to register as a customer and provide some information that confirms your identity. The following steps in this betting guide explain how it works if you’d like to start wagering on sports online.
As I’ve explained, there’s quite a bit of choice in terms of online sportsbooks in the Bay State – and I’m convinced that one of them will be a great fit for your needs. I recommend taking some time to read through the various reviews here at Dunkorthree.com to pick out the options that resonate most with you, so you can compare them to find the one that’s absolutely perfect for you. You’ll find detailed information about the sports you can bet on, the types of bets you can make and any rewards or odds boosts to enhance the experience.
All the sports betting platform reviews here at Dunkorthree tell you exactly what’s required to get started, so you’ll have all the information you could possibly need right at your fingertips. It’s a legal requirement that online betting platforms in Massachusetts must confirm the ID of every person who registers for an account. It’s a good idea to make sure you have your SSN details to hand, as you’ll usually be required to input at least the last 4 numbers, along with your name, address, date of birth and address.
There’s nothing like a generous welcome bonus offer to make you feel special, and it’s something that sports betting platforms tend to offer as a matter of course. These bonuses can take the form of bonus bets, no sweat bets or deposit match offers – and of course, they all come with specific terms and conditions, such as expiry dates and odds requirements. The guides and reviews here at Dunkorthree are designed to give you all the essential facts, along with any bonus codes that activate special deals.
Once you’ve deposited funds into your brand new sportsbook account, you’ll be able to make your first sporting bet. There are usually strict terms relating to the introductory bonus, such as requiring a minimum deposit amount before it can be activated – and if that’s the case, I’ll be sure to pass on the necessary information in the relevant sportsbook bonus guide.
Now it’s time to check out the available sporting fixtures and decide which ones you’d like to bet on. But it’s not just the match you need to choose – there are loads of different types of bets to explore, including moneylines, spreads, totals, futures, teasers, parlays and live bets. You’ll need to examine the odds too, and check out the statistics to inform your betting choices.
If your sports betting predictions prove to be correct, you’ll be collecting some cash prizes, which gives you a choice. You can either use those winning amounts to place further bets, or you can withdraw them to your bank account, card or eWallet. Make sure to check how long it takes to process withdrawal requests, and look out for any fees that the platform may charge too – the reviews here at Dunkorthree.com always have the relevant information.
Now that there’s a selection of legal sports betting sites available in the Bay State, you’re bound to be wondering what’s allowed – and what isn’t! Because not all types of online betting is permitted, as the following table demonstrates:
Event | Allowed |
---|---|
ESports | ❌ |
Chess | ❌ |
Cornhole | ❌ |
Jai Alai | ❌ |
Olympics | Some events |
NFL draft | ✅ |
Awards ceremonies | ❌ |
Politics | ❌ |
Super Bowl novelty props | ❌ |
College sports | Major events only |
We’re all huge basketball fans here at Dunkorthree.com, so naturally we’ll start with your number one option for online betting in Massachusetts:
We’ll be looking out for the best NBA Championship odds as the Boston Celtics hold the favorite’s position to walk away with the Larry O’Brien Trophy.
They’ve never managed to replicate the success of 2019, but never say never – this year’s Super Bowl may have been out of reach, but there’s always next year!
Fenway Park will likely see plenty of action this year from the state’s top baseball team, although at the time of writing, the odds aren’t looking too favorable.
There’s bound to be plenty of new bettors taking advantage of the change in Massachusetts sports betting laws, and most of us will be able to enjoy all the fun and excitement that comes with the activity. But for a few people, wagering can lead to the risk of gambling harms, which can lead to distress for themselves and people close to them.
The Massachusetts Gaming Commission provides useful resources to help anyone in need of gambling support. You can call the free helpline on 1-800-327-5050, which is available 24/7, or you could visit https://gamblinghelplinema.org/ where trained specialists are on hand with support and advice. All reputable sportsbooks also offer tools to set limits on the amount you can deposit and wager, as well as the ability to arrange a period of time out or self exclusion, if that seems more appropriate.
I’ve highlighted the top Massachusetts online sports betting sites in this guide, but now I just need to touch on the sportsbooks you should make a point of steering clear of. Because alongside the safe, legal and regulated betting platforms, Bay State sports bettors also have access to unregulated, offshore sportsbooks.
Although these platforms will happily accept new customers from Massachusetts, you’ll be playing with fire if you sign up to any one of them. With no state-issued license to protect you, there’s no comeback if you run into problems, so you’re not protected in any way. Do yourself a big favor and only consider registering with safe, secure and licensed sportsbooks.
Now that I’ve provided you with the full facts about sports betting in the Bay State, you’re good to go! Browse through the suggestions on this page and spend some time establishing which platform is the right option for you. Don’t forget to claim your introductory bonus offer – and be sure to check back to find out what’s new for sports betting fans in Massachusetts.
Yes, retail sports betting launched in January 2023, with online sportsbooks going live in the Bay State just a couple of months later. My guide here at Dunkorthree is packed with useful information about sports betting in Massachusetts, including information about some very special introductory promotions.
The best sportsbook is the one offering the sports, betting markets, odds and features that you’re searching for, and my guide here at Dunkorthree is on hand to help! Whether you want to search out an honest and insightful DraftKings review, or you’re looking to compare all your available options, this is where you need to be!
They certainly do, and my detailed guide to online sports betting Massachusetts is a treasure trove of useful information. Discover the top sportsbooks, complete with welcome bonuses that you can claim and use right now.
21+ and present in VA. Gambling Problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER.