Is online sports betting in Massachusetts legal? If so, who can place bets?
Online gambling legislation in the US is a bit of a tricky topic. In order to offer their services to bettors legally, online betting operators need to hold an official gambling licence at a state-level. In some states, sports betting is outright prohibited, while others have moved to start regulating mobile betting post-May 2018 – when the US Supreme Court overturned its Professional and Amateur Sports Protection Act (PASPA).
Massachusetts sports betting was officially green-lit in March 2023, a little later than in some neighboring regions. It has been confirmed that MA residents must be aged 21 or above to place mobile bets on sporting events in The Bay State. That said, previous legislation does allow for over-18s to enjoy the Massachusetts state lottery.
MA sports gambling – a brief history of the journey toward sports betting legalization
For several years sports betting in Mass was a big no-no, so news of legalization has been widely welcomed by sports fans native to the state. Here’s how we got to where we stand today:
- 1971 – Massachusetts makes its state lottery legal for the first time, following several strict bans.
- 2011 – The Expanded Gaming Act is signed into MA gambling laws, allowing up to four commercial, land-based casinos to operate in the state.
- 2015 – Live table games are first offered at in-person casinos, yet MA sports betting remains prohibited.
- 2018 – In a landmark ruling, the US Supreme Court overturns PASPA, leading to numerous Bills calling for the legalization of sports betting to be put forward for consideration in Mass. Daily Fantasy Sports become permanently legal around the same time.
- January 2023 – In-person sports betting is launched by The Bay State’s three existing casinos, yet placing sports bets online remains against the law.
- March 2023 – MA betting sites officially go live. Residents are permitted to bet on sports, tournaments and awards shows – though betting at online casinos for real money remains prohibited. 15 prominent betting platforms are among the first to get the green light.
The future of sports-based gambling in MA looks bright, with several big-brand operators already offering online services to Bay State residents, and many more earmarked to go live at some point in the near future.
Getting started with online sports gambling in Massachusetts – a step-by-step guide
If you haven’t used an online sportsbook before, don’t fear – the process for registering with any sports betting brand is pretty much the same as the next, and operators usually make it real easy, too.
We’d recommend starting out by using our comparison on this page to find the most appropriate sports betting site or app to suit you. You can then create an account by:
- Visiting their website or downloading their app.
- Hitting the “create account” or “register” button and filling out your details.
- Verifying yourself via email as part of Know Your Customer (KYC) checks.
- Putting down an initial deposit to fund your account.
- Activating any sign-up promotions advertised (you may need to enter a unique code).
- Placing bets on your favorite sports to your heart’s content.
If you’re claiming a promotion as part of the registration process, that offer is likely to come with a few strings attached. More often than not, you’ll need to make a deposit above a certain amount or place a bet on a particular sport to unlock your bonus bets. You’ll find everything you need to know in your operator’s T&Cs, so be sure to check these out.
Get up to $1,000 back in bonus bets
How should you use our MA sports betting comparison?
There’s been a real influx of online betting sites launching their services in Mass since March 2023, which means it’s wise to make comparisons between providers to narrow down your options rather than registering with the first betting site you come across.
On this page, you’ll find an operator-by-operator comparison of all the top MA online betting sites currently accessible in the region. This will help you to pit different betting operators against each other in multiple categories, and better determine which sites or apps have the most to offer in terms of:
Only youth and some collegiate sports games are off the table in MA, meaning the best operators should grant you access to odds covering everything else.
You can use our comparisons to find the top Massachusetts betting sites for bonuses, by simply scrutinizing what kinds of offers are available where.
Existing customer reward schemes
See what other kinds of promos are up for grabs in terms of VIP programs and regular customer perks.
Five things all the best MA online betting sites ought to have
If you’re new to the online sports betting market or just need a reminder or two on what to look for in the best betting sites, here are a few things we’d recommend keeping an eye out for when making your comparisons:
You should be able to create and customize your betting slips with ease, whether you’re betting via your laptop or by using a more state-of-the-art operator’s smartphone app. Our in-depth reviews of individual betting sites go into more detail about what each site has to offer, but at a very basic level, you should expect betting sites to offer simple, clutter-free betting tools and the ability to create your own parlays and accumulators.
2. Competitive MA sports betting odds
One of the top ways to get more out of online sports betting is to register with a site that offers superior odds to its competitors. This means making comparisons between providers to ensure any operator you’re eyeing up has solid odds across its books. All the sites recommended in our comparison have been pre-checked for fairness and competitiveness – but you might want to keep this tip in mind if you plan on shopping around elsewhere.
Promotions are the lifeblood of the betting industry. Bookmakers rely on their welcome offers to attract the attention of new customers, so it goes without saying that the very best Mass sports betting sites should have a decent bonus up for grabs. Online sportsbook promotions come in lots of shapes and sizes, but most commonly you’ll be able to either unlock a few free bets by putting down a deposit or a qualifying bet above a certain amount, or you’ll be offered “free bet insurance” whereby you’ll get to enjoy a risk-free bet. With any promotion, be sure to check the T&Cs just to be certain you’re using it correctly.
4. A trusted MA betting license
Licensing is a crucial aspect of online betting anywhere in the US. All online sportsbooks need to hold a license from a recognized gambling regulator at a state-level. In MA’s case, this means you should only consider operators that are licensed by the Massachusetts Gaming Commission (MCG). Betting with any apps or websites that don’t hold the right license could be construed as illegal, so watch out for this.
5. Access to sweepstakes casino games
Some online sportsbooks in MA offer a lot more than just access to competitive odds on NBA, NHL and soccer games. While playing at online casinos for real money remains prohibited in the state, MA bettors can enjoy sweepstakes or social casinos, which offer Vegas-inspired games that are playable using virtual currencies as opposed to USD. Some of these games offer you the chance to exchange your virtual coins for real world prizes.
Quality online service providers
1.
Bet $1 & Get $200 in Bonus Bets
Players from Virginia accepted
Bet $1 and Get $200 in Bonus Bets at bet365. Deposit required. Bonus Bets winnings are added to Bonus Bets balance. Bonus Bet wager excluded from returns. T&Cs, time limits and exclusions apply. Gambling Problem? Call 1-800-Gambler 21+
2.
100% up to $1000
Players from Virginia accepted
3.
100% up to $500
Players from Virginia accepted
4.
5 x $50Bet Credits
Players from Virginia accepted
5.
Get up to $1,000 back in bonus bets
Players from Virginia accepted
Mobile sports betting in Massachusetts – what are the advantages of app-based operators?
Many sports fans in Mass and beyond are turning toward app-based betting operators as opposed to regular online sportsbooks these days. If you’re looking for an iOS or Android betting experience, our comparison is packed full of mobile-friendly operators to choose from – many of whom can offer you the following great benefits, and more.
Mobile Advantages: Pros
- Special promos every now and then
- Enjoy sports betting on the move
- Live-stream events from your phone
Claim exclusive Mass sports betting promotions
Occasionally, you might be able to claim a special promotion aimed exclusively at mobile betting customers. This is especially common among newer betting operators, or established sites that have only recently launched an app and are testing the water to see how popular it’s likely to be in your region. Sometimes, you might need to enter a special promo code to activate your promotion – and this code could be different in MA to codes used by bettors in other states.
Enjoy sports betting in MA on-the-move
Perhaps the biggest and most obvious benefit of app-based betting platforms is the ability to have access to online betting odds in your pocket at any time of day. Many of the sportsbooks listed in our comparison offer some seriously state-of-the-art betting tools that enable you to customize your betting slips with a few quick clicks while on your lunch break at work, or even drop a few cheeky bets in real time using live or in-play odds.
Live-stream top sports events from your phone
Some sports apps even take things a step further when it comes to exclusive in-app features, offering you access to HD live-streams of the latest sporting events as and when they take place. The best operators will let you live-stream international sports of all kinds, enabling you to take advantage of both betting and watching from your mobile device at all hours, whether you’re at home, commuting or even at the club in the early hours of the morning.
Mass sports betting conclusion – compare your options before settling on an MA sportsbook
The time has come for Bay State sports bettors to rejoice. Online betting is officially legal in the state and sports fans already have a whole bunch of amazing betting websites and apps to choose from, despite sports gambling in Massachusetts being a relatively new thing.
Finding the right online sportsbook for you involves understanding precisely what you want from an operator, and then using our trusted comparisons to find just that. Above all else, we’d recommend settling on a site that offers broad market coverage, solid promotions and competitive odds – but don’t overlook the importance of gaming licenses and access to sweepstakes virtual coin casino games, too.
The best bonuses currently available
1.
Bet $1 & Get $200 in Bonus Bets
Players from Virginia accepted
Min. Deposit: $10
Bet $1 and Get $200 in Bonus Bets at bet365. Deposit required. Bonus Bets winnings are added to Bonus Bets balance. Bonus Bet wager excluded from returns. T&Cs, time limits and exclusions apply. Gambling Problem? Call 1-800-Gambler 21+
2.
100% up to $1000
Players from Virginia accepted
Requirements (WR): 1x Bonus, Min. Deposit: $10
3.
100% up to $500
Players from Virginia accepted
Requirements (WR): 1x Bonus, Min. Deposit: $10
4.
5 x $50Bet Credits
Players from Virginia accepted
Requirements (WR): 1x Deposit, Min. Deposit: $10
5.
Get up to $1,000 back in bonus bets
Players from Virginia accepted
Requirements (WR): 1x Deposit, Min. Deposit: $10
Massachusetts sports betting FAQ
⚖️ Is online sports betting legal in MA?
Online sportsbooks continue to be green-lit across various US states, but has Massachusetts had its chance to shine yet? TheGruelingTruth.com has all the latest info you need about the state-level legalization of online betting.
📱Which betting apps can I use in Massachusetts?
Ever since online sports betting went live in Mass, Bay State bettors have had access to several Massachusetts sportsbook apps of varying quality. Use our tried-and-tested reviews and comparisons to narrow down the best online betting options currently available.
🎲 Can I play at online casinos in MA?
Just because online sports betting is legal and accessible in a US state doesn’t necessarily mean the same can be said for online casino gaming. Sometimes, different kinds of online gambling are subject to different rules at a state level, but what’s the situation in Massachusetts? Find out with TheGruelingTruth.com.
💰 Which MA sportsbook has the biggest promotion?
Sports fans and online betting lovers based in Massachusetts can play at several different online sportsbooks and betting apps, some of which offer more generous welcome promotions than others. Compare the latest special offers now with TheGruelingTruth.com.
🧐 How do I register with an MA sports betting site?
Online sports betting sites in MA are all a little different from each other, but the process for registering a new account is usually largely the same. Find out what you need to do to get started by reading our latest online betting guide.
