Massachusetts Sports Betting: Best 7 MA Online Sportsbooks

MA sports betting key developments and updates

Here’s a look at Massachusetts' sports betting history:

Massachusetts sports betting quick facts

With legal MA sports betting now here, we've identified critical Massachusetts sports gambling facts, including betting options and projected revenue numbers.

Is sports betting legal in Massachusetts?

Yes, sports betting is legal in Massachusetts. Following then-Governor Charlie Baker's signing of House Bill 5164 into law on Aug. 10, 2022, legal retail sports betting began on Jan. 31, 2023. Seven months later, on March 10, 2023, online sports betting launched.

Several of the best sportsbooks in the country have applied for and obtained licenses to operate legally in Massachusetts. 

Massachusetts sports betting promos and bonuses

New and seasoned sports bettors will be thrilled to learn that operators will be eager to offer the best sportsbooks promos and bonuses. For new players, bonus first bets can be a great way to learn without fear of losing money. For experienced bettors, welcome bonuses allow them to be more aggressive and maximize their return on deposit if they target betting markets with big odds.

Massachusetts sportsbook promos and bonuses go beyond the initial sign-up. Prospective customers should identify operators offering ongoing promotions like boosted odds, loyalty rewards, refer and earn credits, and exclusive offers not found at betting sites.

Top Massachusetts sports betting sites

With the full legalization of sportsbooks in Massachusetts, there will be plenty of competition for your money. Below are the betting sites and Massachusetts sports betting apps that went live on March 10, 2023. Betr launched on May 8, 2023, and Fanatics followed on May 25, 2023.

Why Caesars is the best sportsbook in Massachusetts

One of the first four online sports betting operators to earn a Massachusetts gaming license, Caesars is a trusted brand that first made its mark in the Las Vegas desert. By taking its talents to mobile online sportsbooks and sports betting apps, it can showcase its slate of promos, bonuses, live betting, and VIP rewards that only Caesars Sportsbook can provide. The app also features the ability to live-stream sporting events, including the NFL. Check out our Caesars review for more.

• App store ratings: 4.6 (iOS), 4.1 (Android)
• Payout speed: 1-5 business days

Other Massachusetts online sportsbooks and sports betting apps

FanDuel Massachusetts

Like rival DraftKings, FanDuel has its license approved. Aside from superior app ratings from iOS and Android users, FanDuel offers best-in-class welcome bonuses, promotions, and unique treats within their app. Recently, the operator partnered with Venmo to add to its arsenal of banking methods. This is also noteworthy for Massachusetts bettors since they can’t deposit with a credit card.

• App store ratings: 4.5 (iOS), 4.7 (Android)
• Payout speed: 1-5 business days

Where to bet on sports in Massachusetts: FanDuel review.

DraftKings Massachusetts

Boston-based DraftKings Sportsbook went live in the state on March 10, 2023.

DraftKings offers players an elite user experience with its easy-to-use betting app, seamless site navigation, and ongoing promotions. Customers can access odds boosts, second-chance bets, same-game parlays — it's one of the top parlay betting sites — rewards, and more.

Although credit cards remain an invalid or prohibited form of deposit, DraftKings offers its customers a full line of banking methods for both sides of the transaction.

21+ and present in MA. Gambling Problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER

Where to bet on sports in Massachusetts: DraftKings review. 

Also check out our guide on DraftKings Massachusetts promo code.

BetMGM Massachusetts

BetMGM is another one of the operators to earn licensure from the Massachusetts Gaming Commission. Granted, they, too, are in wait-and-see mode as to when BetMGM’s online sportsbook and sports betting app can launch. However, when it does, players can sign-up with the self-proclaimed "King of Parlays" which also offers live video streaming of select sporting events, solid promotions, and loyalty rewards.

• App store ratings: 4.8 (iOS), 4.6 (Android)
• Payout speed: 2-8 business days

Where to bet on sports in Massachusetts: BetMGM review.

Barstool Massachusetts

With one of the most lucrative projected welcome bonuses available to new players, Barstool Sportsbook has already received its Massachusetts license. This sportsbook is well-known for having very flexible parlay options if that's your bet of choice.

They also have a loud social media presence, which you'll either love or hate, but it does appeal to some users. However, it's not always super competitive when it comes to the sharpest odds and betting lines.

• App store ratings: 4.7 (iOS), 3.3 (Android)
• Payout speed: 1-15 business days

Where to bet on sports in Massachusetts: Barstool Sportsbook review.

Massachusetts sportsbooks honorable mentions

Though they didn’t make our top five rated Massachusetts online sportsbooks and sports betting apps, the following operators all earned honorable mentions due to their significant welcome bonuses. Whether you are or aren’t interested in any of the top five sportsbooks above, be sure to at least glance at our sportsbook reviews of the following operators. Who knows, what you learn may surprise you and might lead you to sign up.

Legal Massachusetts sports betting options

The Massachusetts Gaming Commission voted to award operations certificates to six online sportsbooks, including DraftKings, FanDuel, Barstool, BetMGM, and Caesars. The five listed went live on March 10, 2023.

Since then, two sportsbooks — Betr and Fanatics — have launched their platforms in the state on May 8, 2023, and May 25, 2023, respectively.

Two other operators have received licenses, but have yet to enter the new MA market: Bally Bet and Betway.

Land-based Massachusetts sportsbooks

Three of the five retail sportsbooks licensed by the state are allowed to partner with two online sportsbook properties. In contrast, the pari-mutuel locations of Raynham and Suffolk are permitted to partner with one online operator each. Here's a quick summary of in-person betting options that carry a retail sports betting license.

Who can bet on sports in Massachusetts

Here’s what Massachusetts residents and those visiting the state need to know about sports betting after its Jan. 31, 2023, launch date.

Legal age

Massachusetts retail sportsbooks, online sportsbooks, and sports betting apps will require its players to be at least 21 years of age to place a wager.

Mobile betting

The state has legal online sports betting, as of March 10, 2023. A number of reputable online sportsbooks have been licensed to operate in the state.

Remote registration

Massachusetts bettors can now register remotely at online sportsbooks and via sports betting apps. This process requires players to provide personal information to verify identities, locations, and email accounts. Geolocation software will confirm players are inside state lines at the time of registration.

Within state borders

Like many other states, Massachusetts requires bettors to be within state lines in order to place a bet. However, being a resident of the state is not an explicit requirement. Sports betting operators will confirm your location via the sports app’s geotagging software baked into the product. Customers outside of state lines will lose the ability to place wagers.

Retail sportsbooks

Massachusetts offers residents (and tourists) five in-person sports betting options to choose from, which opened prior to the launch of any online sportsbooks. MGM Springfield, Encore Boston Harbor, Plainridge Park Casino, and two other pari-mutuel horse tracks started accepting bets on Jan. 31, 2023.

Taxable winnings

The state and Uncle Sam both want a slice of your winnings should you profit. Gambling earnings will be taxed at 24%, while the state of Massachusetts will take a cut of 5%. Don’t spend all your winnings in one place until you pay the piper.

What you can't bet on in Massachusetts

As discussed earlier, you can wager on professional sports in and outside Massachusetts. However, the Massachusetts Gaming Commission is currently one of the more constricting state regulators when deciding what can and can’t be wagered on within the state. Here's a primer:

Politics

It is not legal to wager on political events in Massachusetts. For instance, you can’t wager on the upcoming 2024 United States Presidential Election. This policy is consistent across all legalized U.S. states.

Entertainment award ceremonies

Currently, Massachusetts does not allow betting on entertainment award ceremonies like the Grammys or Academy Awards. This policy could change in the future depending on how the MGC legislates things throughout 2023. Still, your insight and handicapping of “Best Record of the Year” at the Grammys will have to be just for fun.

esports

Betting on esports at Massachusetts online sportsbooks remains a murky subject. The MGC has not made a formal ruling and could change its stance, as several other states have legalized esports betting. Delaware North Chairman and Boston Bruins owner Jeremy Jacobs is a stakeholder in the esports organization Splyce.

What about Massachusetts college sports?

Wagering on college sports in the state is permitted, but betting on in-state teams is prohibited unless in a tournament setting like college basketball’s March Madness. This restriction was a sticking point between the Massachusetts House and Senate when they tried to pass a bill in 2021 and 2022. In the end, a compromise was struck, but not the one sports bettors preferred.

To recap, betting on college teams is legal. However, betting on in-state teams, like Harvard and Boston College, will be limited to tournament formats, like the NCAA men’s and women’s basketball tournament, come March.

How to start betting in Massachusetts

Online sports betting in Massachusetts began Friday, March 10, 2023, at 10 a.m. ET.

1. Select a licensed Massachusetts sportsbook

First, you’ll need to select an online sportsbook or sports betting app. SBR’s team of experts has poured hours and hours into researching, evaluating, and grading more than a dozen operators. For a thorough overview, you’ll want to consult our best Massachusetts online sportsbook reviews before deciding. Prospective customers should focus on welcome bonuses, user experience, banking options, customer support services, and security measures.

2. Register online

Signing up for a new online sportsbook account has evolved to the point where it should take just a few minutes to get up and running.

First, the operator will ask you to provide basic personal information like your full name, home address, email address, date of birth, and social security number. The SS number helps with identification verification to prevent fraudulent accounts from being created and helps speed up payouts later. The operator will likely send an email to verify your address and register your account.

Once that step is complete, you’ll create a username and password. Sometimes the username is your email address, which is easy to remember. The password should be eight characters at a minimum and a combination of numbers, letters, and special characters.

3. Deposit and claim a bonus

After logging in to your new online sportsbook account, you’ll head to the cashier and make a first deposit. Here you will sync your preferred banking method to your account. Remember, Massachusetts does not allow for credit card deposits but does accept services like Paypal and bank wire transfers.

Before submitting your first deposit, check for any required promo code fields. You don’t want to miss out on bonus bets because you forgot the promo code when making your initial deposit.

4. Select and finalize your bet

Now that you’ve registered a new account created a unique password, and made a first deposit to fund your wallet, you are all set to make your first bet. Remember, you can wager on every professional team in Massachusetts. So, if you think the Patriots will turn things around next year and win the Super Bowl, you can place a bet. Believe the Bruins to cover the puckline this weekend? Wager on it. Will Jayson Tatum win the Most Valuable Player award? These and other odds will be available at Massachusetts online sportsbooks.

Finalizing a wager takes a few clicks with the best sports betting apps. The improved, seamless user experience, where a bet can be placed in a matter of seconds, makes modern-day sports betting convenient and potentially more entertaining. 

5. Withdraw your winnings

The process is quite simple if one of your big bets wins and you’re ready to cash out. Visit the same cashier link you used to deposit and click withdrawal to get things in motion. Here, you’ll type in the amount of money you want to withdraw and which banking method you want to use to secure the funds. Available options include e-wallets and bank wire transfers or even, in some cases, a physical check mailed to your address. However, the latter option can take up to 15 business days.

How we rate and review Massachusetts sportsbooks

Our team of experts from around the country works independently to evaluate and review the best Massachusetts online sportsbooks and MA sports betting apps. Are you new to online sports betting? Figuring out which features are most important can be confusing and intimidating. We help take the guesswork out of the process and explain how we rate and review each operator. We assess the most critical characteristics before adding or removing them from our best-of sportsbook rankings.

Welcome bonuses and promotions

With up to 15 operators battling for Massachusetts sports betting market share, industry stalwarts like DraftKings, FanDuel, and Caesars will dole out hundreds if not thousands of dollars to new players in the form of welcome bonuses. Based on our experience in other legal states, Massachusetts bettors stand to benefit from low minimum deposits that unlock dollar-for-dollar match bonuses, bet credits, and first-bet insurance worth up to $1,000, along with other forms of added value.

User experience

Our editorial guidelines weigh user experience as one of the essential pillars of a successful and high-quality online sports betting product. User experience can hold a variety of definitions. Think about ease of signing up, banking ability on the site or app, how fluid is navigating the app from one page to the next, can you live stream sporting events, does it crash or have trouble geolocating your position to allow you to bet and how accessible is customer service? All of those factors go into grading out one’s user experience.

Sports bet variety

New sports bettors typically engage with basic odds markets where they can wager on the moneyline or point total. As they gain more experience and join veteran sports bettors on the sports betting platform, various betting markets make for a more pleasing and potentially profitable experience. So, the best online sportsbooks offer global sports as well as domestic. The NFL and college football are the most popular sports to wager on in a calendar year. Still, bettors engage with soccer odds, tennis tournament grand slams, and PGA major championships.

Banking options

Massachusetts law prohibits sports betting customers from funding their accounts or making deposits with credit cards. Operators will leverage services like PayPal, various e-wallets, and ACH bank wire transfers. Some operators have started to accept Venmo as a preferred banking option too. These options will help to alleviate some of the headaches associated with the state barring the most common banking method.

Payout speed

Once you hit a big Boston parlay, you may want to cash out, and waiting is the hardest part. Our betting experts rate sites based on their payout speed from bet settlement to triggering the withdrawal. Some betting sites may take up to five business days, while the elite operators can deliver the funds to your account within two business days. If you deposit or withdraw by physical check, wait times can run up to three business weeks.

Security and customer support

Our editorial guidelines also stress the importance of site and app security. Operators must use the latest SSL encryption software to protect personal and financial information from bad actors.

When questions arise, online sportsbooks should have a solid stable of customer support team representatives available via phone, email, or, in our preference, live chat. Live chat customer support features the shortest wait times and answers your queries in short order.

Massachusetts sports betting handle

Depending on the source material, Massachusetts sports betting handle — total amounts wagered — and related tax revenues vary. However, we project that the Bay State could recognize $550 million (approximately) in revenue in year one. That figure is speculative, and contingent upon all 15 of the expected online sportsbooks meeting the required approvals and launching in early 2023.

On Feb. 15, 2023, the Massachusetts Gaming Commission (MGC) announced a handle of $510,948 since the start of sports betting in the state (three retail sportsbooks).

The taxes will be distributed into five funds for which the leaders of those groups will determine their purposes:

• General Fund (45%)
• Gaming Local Aid Fund (27.5%)
• Workforce Investment Fund (17.5%)
• Public Health Trust Fund (9%)
• Youth Development and Achievement Fund (1%)

MA sports betting handle 2023

Massachusetts sports leagues and teams to bet on

Massachusetts is home to some iconic goliaths of professional sports. The well-documented dynasties of the Patriots and Celtics come to mind, as well as the hot championship stretches of the Red Sox and Bruins.

However, we urge every new sports bettor not to wager with emotion and connection to their hometown teams. Do your homework before placing a bet on your favorite squad because weather, injuries, depth chart changes, and other factors can occur in the hours leading up to an event. Make a well-informed wager, and do not bet with your heart at any time.

New England Patriots 🏈

Even non-football fans know about the dynamic duo of Tom Brady and Bill Belichick. The legendary quarterback/head coach combo helped guide the New England Patriots to one of the most dominant dynasties the NFL has ever seen. In a span of 13 season, the team won the AFC title 11 times and went on to win the Super Bowl six times.

Brady has since retired (after winning one more Super Bowl in Tampa Bay), and the team is struggling to find a new identity. Nevertheless, faithful Pats fans are eager to make some savvy picks on every new NFL season.

Boston Red Sox ⚾

After a few decades of suffering, the Red Sox finally lifted the "Curse of the Bambino" in 2004, winning their first World Series in 86 years. Since then, they've added championships in 2007, 2013, and 2018. Not bad for a team that went an average American's lifespan without sniffing a trophy.

Win or lose, the Fenway Park faithful love their baseball. Every summer a few million spectators pass through the turnstiles of the oldest ballpark in the big leagues to snack on Fenway Franks and behold the Green Monster. And maybe bet on the BoSox to score some runs.

Boston Bruins 🏒

The Bruins are an Original Six NHL team, meaning they've existed basically as long as professional hockey has. They have more than two dozen division championships and six Stanley Cup victories to their name, most recently in 2011.

Hockey fans in Massachusetts can place any number of "wicked smaht" wagers on the Bruins. Aside from the standard moneyline, spread, and over/under bets, sportsbooks now offer a litany of creative player, team, and game prop options. 

Boston Celtics 🏀

Boston is also known as Titletown or the City of Champions, and the Celtics are a key reason why. They have 17 NBA championships, tied with their hated West Coast rivals, the Los Angeles Lakers.  The majority of those trophies were won in the 60s, 70s, and 80s. But a lack of more recent success doesn't deter the Celtics' fanbase.

In fact, recent Atlantic Division titles in 2022 and 2023 have given the team (and fans) renewed hope that that elusive 18th championship banner is just around the corner. 

New England Revolution ⚽

The New England Revolution of the MLS doesn’t garner the same headlines, but MA bettors will be able to access odds for its matchups at several online sportsbooks and sports betting apps.

The Revs were one of the ten founding members of MLS in 1995, but have never won an MLS Cup despite playing in the final on five separate occasions. Silverware in the form of a Supporters Shield (2021) and U.S. Open Cup (2007) will have to tide fans over for now.

Other sports betting categories

Sports bettors can check out the top sportsbooks for specific sports, leagues, playoffs, and categories:

Responsible Massachusetts sports betting

The Massachusetts Gaming Commission is the state’s governing body that oversees legal sports betting and casino gaming, and horse racing wagers. It has approved the seven licenses for the active sportsbooks in the state.

The MGC’s mission is to create a fair and transparent process for all parties to understand the expanded sports betting laws in the state. They will be in charge of issuing licenses and policing, investigating, and regulating Massachusetts sports betting operations. 

The MGC also implements Responsible Gaming frameworks, offering gambling addiction counseling, treatment, and resources to interested parties. They also provide a voluntary self-exclusion program, limiting or banning individuals from gaming participation for a set period. This program can be accessed by phone, live chat, or at three retail casinos.

List of Massachusetts sports betting resources

Massachusetts Gaming Commission – Gambling regulator. 

Massachusetts Legislator – Lawmaking body In Massachusetts    

Massachusetts Council on Gaming and Health – Top resource for responsible gambling in the state.    

Massachusetts gambling helpline: 1-800-327-5050

National U.S. gambling helpline: 1-800-GAMBLER

Sportsbooks to avoid in Massachusetts

The opening of MA retail sports betting locations on Jan. 31, 2023, followed by online betting at a time yet to be determined, provides enough reasons for players to take the risk of setting up an account at offshore sportsbooks. The risks tied to registering accounts with offshore entities are significant, as players are often left with no recourse should any dispute arise.

Here are a few examples of illegal sites to avoid and the reasons SBR’s betting editors team has deemed them off-limits:

Sports betting across the U.S.

Are you looking for information on sports betting across the U.S.? Check out our comprehensive guide to legal sports betting in the United States.

Sports betting in legal U.S. states

Keep informed about the state of online sports betting in legalized states:

Upcoming legal U.S. states

Stay up-to-date on the potential legalization of online sports betting in the following state:

U.S. sports betting apps 

Sports betting in other regions

Ready to place your bets? Check out our list of the top sports betting sites in the US, Canada, Ontario, and the U.K. for the best odds and bonuses:

• Canada best sportsbooks (excludes Ontario)

• Ontario best sportsbooks

• U.K. best sportsbooks