Massachusetts Sports Betting: 7 Mobile Apps Live Now
Massachusetts sports betting is legal and live. Seven online sportsbooks are available in the state: DraftKings, FanDuel, ESPN Bet, Caesars, BetMGM, Bally Bet, and Fanatics Sportsbook.
Since betting launched on March 10, 2023, sportsbooks have offered new users sign-up bonuses and promotions, and more online books could launch in the coming months.
Read on for all the latest news and updates on MA sports betting, including reviews of the top available books.
Best Massachusetts sports betting sites for 2024
Massachusetts sports betting is now live. Online sportsbooks in the state are offering new users bonuses, including the DraftKings promo code and FanDuel bonus. 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.
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Massachusetts Sportsbook Promos Today
Check back here for the latest odds boosts and promotions.
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 of the same year.
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
- Oct. 17, 2024 — MA set monthly records for sports betting handle and taxes collected in September. Handle was $678.7 million, while the state collected $14.6 million in taxes.
- Oct. 4, 2024 — The Massachusetts Attorney General’s Office issued a cease and desist to offshore sportsbook Bovada.
- Sept. 25, 2024 — MA sports betting handle was $447.3 million in August, up 8.6% from July.
- Sept. 18, 2024 — During a Massachusetts Gaming Commission meeting, MA sports betting companies agreed to work with state regulators to solve limiting issues.
- Sept. 11, 2024 — MA sports betting handle was $414.2 million in July, down 18% from June but up 39.9% year over year.
Massachusetts sports betting snapshot
| Is online sports betting legal in Massachusetts? | Yes, online sports betting in Massachusetts is legal. The industry launched on March 10, 2023. |
| What sportsbook apps are live in Massachusetts? | DraftKings, FanDuel, BetMGM, ESPN Bet, Bally Bet, Caesars, and Fanatics Sportsbook. |
| 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 Massachusetts sports betting apps
Massachusetts law permits 15 online sports betting licenses. Eight licenses are tied to a land-based partner, and the other seven are open to competitive bidding.
Seven sportsbook apps are live in the state: DraftKings, FanDuel, Caesars, ESPN Bet, Bally Bet, Fanatics Sportsbook, and BetMGM. This means bettors have plenty of choices when deciding where to place their wagers.
Here is a breakdown of the top legal sports betting sites 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 market diversity: BetMGM. The online sportsbook for MGM Resorts offers bets on a long list of sports. Along with all the major sports, you can 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. FanDuel Sportsbook
One of the country’s more popular sports betting apps, FanDuel Sportsbook is user-friendly and easy for beginners. However, navigation through some menus could be better, mostly due to the vast array of available sports and bets. This is, therefore, not a bad thing so much as a potential hindrance for more experienced users. Same-game parlay options are also a staple of FanDuel, and as noted, the app boasts a solid sports menu.
- 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
- MA welcome bonus: Bet $5, get $150 in bonus bets if your bet wins, plus three free months of NBA League Pass. No code necessary; click to claim promo.
2. 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 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
- MA welcome bonus: Up to $1,500 in bonus bets paid back if your first bet does not win. Use the BetMGM bonus code LSR50.
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. Navigating or finding a bet can be clunky, 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
- MA welcome bonus: Bet $1, double your winnings on next 10 wagers. Use the Caesars Sportsbook promo code LSRDYW.
4. Fanatics Sportsbook
Fanatics Sportsbook took a little longer to launch in Massachusetts than some of its competitors. It eventually went live in May 2023 and partnered with Plainridge Park Casino. As one of the newer apps on the market, Fanatics Sportsbook is still working through some bugs that sometimes interfere with the overall usability and sports betting experience.
However, there are plenty of features for new users, including a curated “Discover” page tailored to each user, same-game parlays, and the FanCash loyalty program. FanCash allows users to collect bonus funds as they bet and then use that “cash” on bonus bets in the app or apparel from the Fanatics retail website.
Customer reviews are mostly positive for customer service, aesthetics, and features, but this app is still in progress.
- App Store rating: 4.7 (iOS), 3.5 (Android)
- Key takeaway: New app with interesting features
- Best feature: FanCash
- MA welcome bonus: Bet and get up to $1,000 in no-sweat bets. No code necessary; click to claim.
Best MA sportsbook promos and how to get started
First, choose an online sportsbook in Massachusetts, head to that book’s homepage or app, and create an account. Once you’ve done that, you can make a deposit and start betting. Throughout the process, watch for any bonus codes and promotions for new customers.
Knowing the terminology associated with sportsbook bonuses, promos, and other features is also essential. This language can differ from book to book but is pretty standard across the industry. Below are some of the more common terms you might encounter at Massachusetts sports betting sites:
- First bet bonus: If you win your first bet with your new app, you collect the profit but don’t receive a bonus. If you lose the bet, the site may issue a first bet bonus consisting of either site credits or a bonus bet equivalent to a percentage of your initial bet. You will have to meet the playthrough requirements to redeem the winnings of the bonus 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. In most cases, you won’t be able to withdraw those extra credits and will have to meet a requirement to withdraw any winnings you accumulate with them.
- Loyalty program: Many online sportsbooks offer loyalty programs for bettors. The points accumulated through these programs can often be used to place more wagers or for other benefits like discounted meals and hotel stays. Enrollment is often automatic when you register.
- Odds boost: With an odds boost, a sportsbook artificially increases the odds on select wagers to make the payout more attractive for bettors.
Complete list of MA sports betting apps
Seven sportsbooks are approved to operate in Massachusetts as of December 2024. Betway was also among the initial sportsbooks approved in the state but withdrew from the market without ever launching. BetRivers, which is available in around a dozen states, has not received a Massachusetts license.
Below is a list of the sports betting sites available now in Massachusetts:
- Bally Bet Sportsbook
- BetMGM Sportsbook
- Caesars Sportsbook
- DraftKings Sportsbook
- ESPN Bet
- Fanatics Sportsbook
- FanDuel Sportsbook
Latest Massachusetts sports betting news
DraftKings Grilled For Allowing Credit Card-Funded MA Sports Betting
MA sports betting regulators held a lengthy hearing on Wednesday over bets DraftKings allowed users to place via out-of-state credit card funds, a practice they said was explicitly banned under…
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. However, it touched 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.
Some online sportsbooks claim they can legally accept bets 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 getting paid. Without a license to protect consumers, these books could choose not to 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 state’s eastern third. 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 like FanDuel Racing.
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, also offer simulcasting. Raynham Park and Suffolk Downs are open seven days a week for off-track betting on races nationwide.
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 various sports and local franchises. The state has a team in all four major US sports leagues, and residents support them passionately.
As one of the most popular pro sports franchises in recent memory, New England Patriots odds are some of the most popular bets in Massachusetts. The Pats 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 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 to the Florida Panthers in the first round of the playoffs.
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, which means March Madness odds are particularly popular in the state.
Massachusetts sports betting history
2024: Betr and WynnBET officially exit the MA market in February.
The MA Attorney General issues cease and desist letters to 10 DFS operators in the state, including Yahoo and Sleeper.
The Massachusetts Attorney General’s office announces an initiative aimed at addressing underage sports betting.
Bally Bet launches in Massachusetts.
Dean Serpa is named the new executive director of the Massachusetts Gaming Commission. He replaces interim chair Todd Grossman. Serpa was a deputy chief of staff for former Massachusetts Gov. Charlie Baker.
The Boston Celtics won the 2024 NBA championship, defeating the Dallas Mavericks in five games. The Celtics are the early favorites in 2025 NBA Finals odds.
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
Anyone over the age of 21 and inside Massachusetts can 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.
The Massachusetts Gaming Commission oversees all gambling in the state, including sports betting.
According to the 2022 law, almost any sport except in-state colleges. Therefore, Boston College is off-limits for bets unless it is playing in a tournament. On the other hand, esports betting 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.
Massachusetts residents can bet online and in person. Online sports betting sites 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.
Yes. Bettors can sign up and bet on several sports betting apps in Massachusetts. Some offshore sportsbooks claim they can accept bets from anywhere in the United States. However, since sports betting is licensed at the state level, only books with a license to operate in Massachusetts are legal options for betting.
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