Massachusetts Sports Betting: 8 Mobile Apps Live Now
Massachusetts sports betting is legal and live. There are eight online sportsbooks available in the state: DraftKings, FanDuel, WynnBET, Barstool, Betr, Caesars, BetMGM and Fanatics. Since launching on and after March 10, these sportsbooks have been offering sign-up bonuses and promotions to new users.
Best Massachusetts sports betting apps 2023
Massachusetts sports betting is now live. Online sportsbooks in the state, including DraftKings and BetMGM, are offering bonuses to new users. You must be 21 or older to bet online in Massachusetts.
If you or a loved one is experiencing problems with gambling, call 1-800-327-5050 or visit www.mahelpline.org/problemgambling to speak with a trained specialist for free, 24/7.
Daily Deals in Massachusetts
Is sports betting legal in Massachusetts?
Yes, both retail and online sports wagers are legal in Massachusetts. Retail sports betting in the state launched on Jan. 31, 2023, and mobile and online sports betting followed on March 10, with six online books available at launch.
A sports betting bill passed in the closing hours of the 2022 session, and Gov. Charlie Baker signed it on Aug. 10, 2022.
What’s happening in Massachusetts sports betting right now
- Sept. 22, 2023 — MA sports betting regulators are allowing Barstool Sportsbook to void 257 wagers amounting to $47,759.94 after a technical issue allowed player prop bets on an NFL game that had already concluded.
- Sept. 21, 2023 — MGM Springfield is reportedly back to normal after MGM Resorts experienced a cyber attack. MGM Springfield is the only MGM casino in Massachusetts.
- Aug. 28, 2023 — The Massachusetts Gaming Commission grants sports betting sites in the state a temporary 60-day extension as they work to comply with the state’s new data privacy regulations. The extension is valid through Nov. 17.
- Aug. 24, 2023 — The MGC adds pickleball to its menu of sports to legally wager on.
- Aug. 23, 2023 — Raynham Park is looking for a new sportsbook partner after Caesars pulled out of a deal with the racetrack last week. The MGC has said the track cannot obtain a sports betting license without a sportsbook partner.
- Aug. 23, 2023 — Betr proposes a way to integrate the Massachusetts Lottery into its menu by offering a free-to-play game for people touring Fenway Park. The game would allow users to pick numbers and tie the winners into sporting events.
- Aug. 22, 2023 — MA gambling regulators announce that Penn Entertainment does not need to reapply for a sports betting license in the state as it rebrands Barstool Sportsbook to ESPN Bet.
Massachusetts sports betting snapshot
| Is online sports betting legal in Massachusetts? | Yes, online sports betting in Massachusetts is legal, launching on March 10, 2023. |
| What sportsbook apps are live in Massachusetts? | DraftKings, FanDuel, BetMGM, Barstool, Caesars, WynnBET, Fanatics (beta version) and Betr. |
| What sports are legal to bet on in Massachusetts? | Bettors can wager on almost any pro sports leagues but cannot bet on in-state college teams (unless the teams are in a tournament). No betting on any high school sports. |
| Who can bet on sports in Massachusetts? | Anyone located in Massachusetts who is 21 or older. Sports betting sites use geolocation software to verify a person’s location before that person places a bet. |
Comparing the top sports betting apps in Massachusetts
Massachusetts law permits 15 online sports betting licenses. Eight of those will be tied to a land-based partner, and the other seven are open to competitive bidding.
Eight sportsbook apps are live in the state: DraftKings, FanDuel, WynnBET, Caesars, Betr, Barstool, Fanatics and BetMGM. In addition to those eight, Bally Bet plans to launch in 2023, and Betway plans to launch in Q1 of 2024. This means that bettors will have an array of choices when deciding where to place their wagers — each with their various strengths and weaknesses.
Here is a breakdown of the top legal sportsbook apps in Massachusetts and the best sports betting promotions from each:
- Easiest to use: FanDuel. One of FanDuel’s strongest assets is its simplicity. It is easy for beginners and experienced bettors and provides a fast, intuitive experience.
- Best for live betting: DraftKings. DraftKings has a deep list of sports for bettors to choose from, and betting on them live is one of the calling cards for this book. The app also has a reputation for innovations and its free-to-play betting pools.
- Best for market diversity: BetMGM. The online sportsbook for MGM Resorts offers bets on a long list of sports. Along with all of the major sports, you can also find more niche options like ski jumping, snooker, lacrosse and water polo.
- Best for promotions: Caesars. Many sportsbooks let you receive rewards through loyalty programs, but Caesars offers a combination of bonuses, odds boosts and a loyalty program for existing customers as well as a welcome bonus for new customers who use the Caesars sportsbook promo code.
1. BetMGM Sportsbook
BetMGM Sportsbook is from the same corporate family as the MGM Springfield hotel and casino, one of the first three locations in the state where people could bet on sports in person. But BetMGM’s app is also one of the top options for sports bettors, as you are unlikely to find a sportsbook that offers more flexibility when it comes to options and editing a wager after placing it.
- App store rating: 4.8 (iOS), 4.4 (Android)
- Key takeaway: BetMGM offers flexibility before and after you place a bet.
- Best feature: Edit my bet
- Welcome bonus: Up to $1,500
2. FanDuel Sportsbook
One of the more popular sports betting apps in the country, FanDuel Sportsbook is user-friendly and easy for beginners. However, navigation through some menus could be better, mostly due to the array of available sports and bets. This is, therefore, not a bad thing so much as a hindrance. Same-game parlay options are also a staple of FanDuel, and as noted, the app boasts a solid menu of sports.
- App store rating: 4.8 (iOS), 4.7 (Android)
- Key takeaway: You won’t find an easier app to use.
- Best feature: Same-game parlays
- Welcome bonus: Bet $5, get up to $200 in bonus bets.
3. Caesars Sportsbook
Representing the entertainment and hospitality company of the same name, Caesars Sportsbook is also a leader in online sports betting in the US. The Caesars app is one of the top options for sports betting bonuses, but it isn’t quite as sleek or flashy as some of its competitors. It can be clunky to navigate or find a bet, but most users still get a lot out of the app due to its performance and above-average promotions.
- App store rating: 4.6 (iOS), 4.5 (Android)
- Key takeaway: Average app with above-average promotions and bonuses.
- Best feature: Caesars Rewards
- Welcome bonus: Up to $1,000
4. DraftKings Sportsbook
This Boston-based company was a pioneer in daily fantasy long before DraftKings Sportsbook became one of the top sports betting platforms in the country. Today, the book offers a sleek app along with a long list of available bets and innovative features. DraftKings was the first sportsbook in the US to offer early cash-outs, and its pools allow bettors to compete in tournament-like events. However, the promotions DraftKings makes available for existing customers could be better.
- App store rating: 4.8 (iOS), 4.6 (Android)
- Key takeaway: DraftKings has several features that are unavailable elsewhere.
- Best feature: Live betting
- Welcome bonus: Up to $200 (bet $5, get $150 + a $50 bonus bet)
The deposit bonus up to $1,000 is not available in Massachusetts
Best MA sportsbook promos and how to get started
To start with, choose an online sportsbook in Massachusetts, head to that book’s homepage or app and create an account. Once you’re done with that, you can make a deposit and start betting. Throughout the process, keep an eye out for any bonus codes and promotions for new customers.
It is also important to be aware of the terminology associated with sportsbook bonuses, promos and other features. This language can differ from book to book, but it usually falls into one of a few categories. Here is a brief primer on the types of promos you can expect at Massachusetts sports betting sites:
- First bet bonus: You will first need to place a wager that meets the sportsbook’s conditions. If you win, you generally just collect the profit from your win with no bonus. If you lose, however, the site will issue you site credits or a bonus bet equivalent to a percentage of your lost bet.
- Deposit bonus: The sportsbook matches a portion of your deposit as extra credits. Depending on the promotion, you might be getting a dollar-for-dollar match.
- Loyalty program: Most online sportsbooks let you participate in the company loyalty program. Programs like BetMGM’s MGM Rewards and Caesars’ Caesars Rewards give points and tier placement for every dollar you wager. These points and statuses can often lead to benefits like free or discounted meals and hotel stays, and exclusive event invitations. There is no cost to join, and enrollment often is automatic when you register.
- Odds boost: These bonuses are so common that they often do not appear as promotions, but rather as another feature on the app. An odds boost pumps the potential payout on certain bets in favor of the bettor in order to generate interest in wagering.
Latest Massachusetts sports betting news
MA Sports Betting Operators Concerned Over Landmark Data Privacy Rules
MA sports betting operators gave state regulators “a lot to think about,” Massachusetts Gaming Commission chair Cathy Judd-Stein said after they voiced concerns over what would be the strictest data…
Projected Massachusetts sports betting revenue
Legal Sports Report is projecting Massachusetts to be among the top states in sports betting handle and revenue after its first full year of operation.
On May 23, the Massachusetts Gaming Commission decided not to allow sports betting companies to deduct promotional credits from their taxable income. That decision will likely have a major impact on the handle, revenue and taxes that sports betting will generate in the state. Allowing sportsbooks to deduct promos would potentially have raised the total sports betting handle and revenue in the state, but it would have lowered the amount of taxable revenue the state could earn.
Now that we know how the state will handle promotional deductions, LSR has built a projection model of ranges for possible handle, revenue and taxes for the first full year of Massachusetts sports betting.
Model with no promotional deductions allowed
- Handle: $4.04 billion to $5.97 billion
- Revenue: $295.25 million to $506.15 million
- Promos: $0
- Taxable revenue: $295.25 million to $506.15 million
- Taxes: $56.59 million to $95.05 million
Massachusetts sports betting law
When legislators agreed to a compromise on H5164, otherwise known as the “Massachusetts Sports Wagering Act,” it changed the game for sports betting in the state. The law includes the following key features:
- A 20% tax rate for online sports betting and a 15% tax rate for retail.
- A ban on betting on in-state college teams (except when they are playing in tournaments).
- Casinos and racetracks receive sports betting licenses.
- Authorizes 15 online sports betting licenses: seven available by competitive bid and eight tied to a land-based partner (casino or racetrack).
- No advertising ban, but no using credit cards to deposit into sportsbook accounts.
- Sportsbooks cannot deduct promotional credits from taxable income.
- The law requires that “21 and over” language must appear on all standalone sports betting logos at Fenway Park, TD Garden and Gillette Stadium.
Sports betting as an individual state decision was unavailable until May 2018. However, after hearing the oral arguments to the US Supreme Court in December 2017 against the Professional and Amateur Sports Protection Act, lawmakers in many states began to introduce measures to legalize sports betting in anticipation of a favorable ruling from the court. Massachusetts Sen. Eileen Donoghue was one of those forward-looking lawmakers when she introduced the first sports betting bill in Massachusetts history in January 2018.
The bill never gained much traction. It did, however, touch off a slew of measures that would implement sports betting in Massachusetts. None were successful until the Massachusetts Sports Wagering Act of 2022 finally made its way through the state Legislature. Lawmakers reached a compromise in the final moments of July 31, and the governor had 10 days to accept or reject the bill. Gov. Charlie Baker signed it one day before the 10-day deadline, and Massachusetts joined 30 other states with legal sports betting.
Legal betting options in Massachusetts
The 2022 Massachusetts sports betting law legalized the activity, and bettors can now place wagers in person and online.
There are some online sportsbooks that claim they can legally accept bets from throughout the United States. But US sports betting is licensed at the state level, which means there are no legal websites in the US that can take bets from every state.
Betting with these offshore, unregulated platforms could lead to issues when it comes to getting paid. Without a license to protect consumers, these books could choose to not pay out winning bets or close the sportsbook without returning customer funds.
US citizens would have no legal recourse to try to recover the funds.
Casino gambling in Massachusetts
Massachusetts is home to two full-scale casino resorts and a third slots-only racino. The locations, respectively, are as follows:
- MGM Springfield, Springfield
- Encore Boston Harbor, Everett
- Plainridge Park Casino, Plainville
There is the possibility that another location could join these three venues at some point in the future. The 2011 Expanded Gaming Act also allowed for a third casino resort to be built in the eastern third of the state. Various entities, including one of Massachusetts’ federally recognized tribal groups, have attempted to bring this venue to life in the years since, but nothing solid is in place yet.
Online horse betting in Massachusetts
Horse racing and horse betting are both legal in Massachusetts. The state allows citizens to bet on horses through online sites such as TVG.
Plainridge Park Casino is the only location in the state to offer any kind of live racing and the pari-mutuel wagering that accompanies it. The facility in Plainville offers harness racing between April and November. However, it offers slot play and simulcast wagering on a year-round basis. Two other locations, which are former tracks themselves, offer simulcasting, as well. Both Raynham Park and Suffolk Downs are open seven days a week for off-track betting on races across the country.
Massachusetts and daily fantasy sports
Massachusetts has a credible claim as the capital of daily fantasy sports in the US. As we mentioned earlier, DFS pioneer and industry giant DraftKings launched in Boston, and the company houses 650 of its key personnel in adjoining buildings on Boylston and Berkeley streets in Back Bay. Legal DFS play in Massachusetts goes back to 2016.
Related Sports Betting Pages
Popular sports to bet on in Massachusetts
Massachusetts and its residents have access to an array of sports and local franchises. The state has a team in all four major US sports leagues, and residents support all of them passionately.
The NFL’s New England Patriots have been favorites of bettors for years, but the team has undergone some changes since Tom Brady left, first for Tampa, then for retirement.
But Massachusetts is far from a one-sport state. Major League Baseball’s Boston Red Sox kept their loyal fans waiting 86 years in between World Series until the team finally shook off the Curse of the Bambino in 2004. Since then, the Red Sox have frequently been in the running for the playoffs, which should keep them popular at sportsbooks.
The NBA’s Celtics and NHL’s Bruins have also had their share of success over the last two decades. The Celtics won an NBA title in 2008, while the Bruins took home the Stanley Cup in 2011. The 2022-23 Bruins set records for most wins (65) and points (135) in a season but lost in the first round of the playoffs to the Florida Panthers.
Massachusetts also has eight Division I colleges in the state, with two — the Boston College Eagles and the UMass Minutemen — playing at the FBS level. However, Massachusetts bettors cannot legally wager on in-state schools unless those teams are in a tournament such as the NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament.
Massachusetts sports betting history
2023: Legal sports betting officially launches in Massachusetts, with the first in-person bets taking place at the three casinos in the state on Jan. 31.
On March 10, online sports betting goes live in Massachusetts with the launch of six online books. Micro-betting platform Betr becomes the seventh sportsbook in the state a couple of months later.
Fanatics Sportsbooks then becomes the eighth book to launch, releasing a beta version of its app in late May.
2022: In the final moments of the legislative session, Massachusetts lawmakers reach a compromise on H5164. The bill legalizes sports betting in the state both online and in person. On Aug. 1, the bill passes the Senate by a 36-4 vote. Outgoing Gov. Charlie Baker signs the bill into law on Aug. 10, something he had long promised to do should a sports betting bill ever pass. In December, the MGC announces its intention to launch retail sports betting on Jan. 31, 2023, with online sports betting to follow soon after.
2021: Efforts to pass sports betting ramp up in the first half of the year. At one point, there were 23 sports betting bills on file between the House and Senate. The House finally distills its efforts into H3977. The proposal passes the lower chamber by a vote of 156-3-1. An amendment process and passage in the Senate is the roadblock for sports betting in Massachusetts since Gov. Charlie Baker publicly voiced his support for the activity.
An unexpected budget surplus disrupts the forward momentum of both H3977 and a similar Senate-produced bill. Senate President Karen Spilka declares sports betting to be on the back burner and names five issues of higher priority for the upper chamber. Sports betting dies in the Senate Ways and Means Committee and sends supporters back to the drawing board for 2022.
2020: The House attempts to work sports betting into an economic development bill with less than two weeks left in the formal session. The House overwhelmingly supports the bill with its sports betting language, but the Senate disagrees. Its amended version of the House bill includes no sports betting language at all despite multiple attempts.
Sen. Michael Brady, who submitted sports betting language for the Senate amendment, tells LSR that sports betting will be up for discussion before the end of 2020. However, resistance in the Senate proves to be too much to overcome, and the session passes without a sports betting bill moving through.
2019: Lawmakers submit multiple sports betting bills in 2019, though none receive significant attention.
Massachusetts sports betting FAQ
Who can bet on sports in Massachusetts?
Anyone over the age of 21 and inside Massachusetts is able to wager on sports. While some activities — lottery and pari-mutuel wagering — require bettors to only be 18 or older, most gambling options in the state mandate that you be 21 or older.
Who oversees sports betting in Massachusetts?
The Massachusetts Gaming Commission oversees all gambling in the state, including sports betting.
What can I bet on in MA?
According to the 2022 law, almost any sport with the exception of in-state NCAA colleges. Boston College, therefore, is off-limits for bets unless it is playing in a tournament. Esports betting, on the other hand, is up to the Massachusetts Gaming Commission to decide whether to permit it in the state. The state does not allow betting on the LIV Golf tour or players.
Where can I bet on sports in Massachusetts?
Massachusetts residents are able to bet online and in person. Online sports betting apps are live in the state and available to bettors. There are also casinos in the state that have sportsbooks where you can bet in person.
Can I bet on sports on my phone in Massachusetts?
Yes. Bettors can sign up and bet on several sports betting apps in Massachusetts. There are offshore sportsbooks that claim they can accept bets from anywhere in the United States. However, since sports betting is licensed at the state level, only books that have a license to operate in Massachusetts are legal options for betting.