Legal online MA sports betting is live in the Bay State for the first time today after years of waiting in Massachusetts.
Bettors in Massachusetts can place legal wagers at Massachusetts sportsbooks starting at 10 a.m. EST Friday. In-person sportsbooks began accepting bets on Jan. 31, but today marks the launch of mobile apps for sports betting in Massachusetts.
Here is some of the most important information you need about the launch of mobile MA sports betting:
Where can you bet on sports in MA?
With the opening of moble sports betting apps, you will be able to wager from anywhere within state borders. You do not need to be a resident of Massachusetts to bet, but you must be physically located within the state at the time of your wager.
Initially, there will be six legal online sports betting apps available in the Commonwealth.
- Barstool
- BetMGM
- Caesars
- DraftKings
- FanDuel
- WynnBet
Second sportsbook wave starts next month
Betr is slated to launch sometime in April. Two more operators will join the scene in May.
- Fanatics
- Bally Bet
Betway will make it 10 Massachusetts operators by Q1 2024.
In-person MA sports betting options
In-person sports betting already launched in Massachusetts on Jan. 31.
There are retail options available via
- Encore Boston Harbor (WynnBet Sportsbook)
- Plainridge Park Casino (Barstool Sportsbook)
- MGM Springfield (BetMGM Sportsbook)
There will also be an in-person Caesars Sportsbook at Raynham Park that could open this spring.
How to sign up for MA sports betting apps
Popular sports betting apps can be searched and downloaded via Apple or Android smartphones.
Once you download an app, youwill then be asked for basic ID information such as name, address and social security number. You must be 21 years old or older.
Accounts can be funded via a variety of payment methods including PayPal, though Massachusetts prohibits the use of credit cards.
What sports are available to bet on?
Massachusetts has an expansive sports betting menu.
All of the most popular teams in Massachusetts will be available for wagering. That includes the surging Boston Bruins in the NHL and the dominant Boston Celtics in the NBA, and obviously Boston‘s favorite baseball team, the Red Sox. Online MA sports betting becomes legal four days before the start of March Madness.
The menu includes drafts, awards and special events such as:
- The Oscars
- Emmy Awards
- Nathan’s Famous Hot Dog Eating Contest
- Other Major League Eating sanctioned events
How much money will MA sports betting make?
Expectations for Massachusetts sports betting revenue likely climbed in the eyes of many after Ohio logged more than $1 billion in wagers in its opening month in 2023.
Rep. Jerry Parisella explained the projections to LSR:
I think it looks like we’ll get at least $70 million in licensing fees, which are renewable every five years (it’s $5 million per license).
And as far as the annual tax revenue, I think it’s fair to say we’ll get $60 million to $70 million, and I think that’s probably conservative.
How did Massachusetts sportsbooks start?
State policymakers needed to go overtime to pass a stalled sports betting bill in 2022 after year of failed discussions in previous years.
Yet they were able to come to a compromise in the wee hours of the last day of the legislative session, and made their announcement at 5:10 a.m. Aug. 1, 2022.
The Massachusetts Gaming Commission since overcame several regulatory obstacles to launch, while implementing some of the strictest advertising regulations in the country.
