by
Reviewed by
Fact checked by
Is Sports Betting Legal in Massachusetts?
Massachusetts has now been a fully regulated sports betting state for more than three years. The sports betting bill H5164 was signed into law in 2022, laying the foundation for both retail and online wagering. Sports betting in Massachusetts officially launched in early 2023 — with retail wagering beginning January 31 and the first Massachusetts sports betting apps going live on March 10, 2023.
Today in 2025, the regulated market is well-established with seven licensed sportsbooks operating in the state: BetMGM, Caesars Sportsbook, DraftKings, FanDuel, Fanatics Sportsbook, ESPN BET, and Bally Bet. These platforms give local bettors safe, convenient access to a wide range of betting markets.
Many first-rate offshore oddsmaker also continue to serve bettors in the USA, offering additional alternatives for those seeking different odds formats, cryptocurrency banking, or broader wagering menus.
Interest in online sports wagering has remained strong — especially with powerhouse local franchises like the Boston Celtics keeping fans engaged throughout the NBAseason. Whether playing on regulated apps or exploring offshore options, there has never been a better time to find online sports betting in Massachusetts.
Top Five Massachusetts Sports Betting Sites
Well, like many states in the US, it largely depends on what kind of sports teams and major venues the state hosts as this is the exposure citizens of Massachusetts get to the kind of markets sportsbooks offer. In the state, there are teams like Boston Red Sox, Boston Celtics, Boston Bruins, and New England Revolution. Because the state has such prominent sports teams, there are many in the state that are interested in wagering.
Perhaps one of the reasons sports betting is so popular here is because Massachusetts is at the forefront of regulating sports betting. While there are plenty of regulated sportsbooks where you can place your wagers, we would also recommend taking a look at the following offshore sites:
BetOnline
BetOnline is a great all-around offshore sportsbook. They’re currently offering a no-strings 50% deposit match up to a maximum of $250 when placing your first deposit with promocode FREE250.
Pros
- Easy deposit process
- Solid welcome bonus
- Smooth site experience
BetUS
BetUS is currently offering one of the biggest welcome bonuses in the business, worth up to a whopping $3,125. This is split across the site’s sportsbook and racebook: 100% deposit match up to $2,500 (14x rollover) for the sportsbook, and 25% deposit match up to $625 (30x rollover) for the casino. To secure this offer, you’ll need to enter promocode JOIN125.
Pros
- Well-priced odds
- Solid bonuses and promotions
- Decades of experience
SportsBetting.ag
Sportsbetting.ag stands out for offering a continual welcome bonus. This currently stands at 50% up to $250, which is industry standard for 2025. This is a great way to stretch your entertainment budget even further. And this site gives Mass bettors plenty to bet on! From the Boston Red Sox to the New England Patriots, all of your favorites and more make an appearance on this sports betting site.
Pros
- Includes bonuses for casino and racebook
- Easy depositing
MyBookie
MyBookie is a great Massachusetts offshore sports betting site for a number of reasons, not the least of which is their slate of rotating sports betting promotions. For example, If you want to bet on March Madness, you can participate in their bracket contests. No matter the season, MyBookie seems to have something on hand to keep offering their players new gambling opportunities. Signing up at MyBookie is a guaranteed source of entertainment for mass bettors.
Pros
- Creative specials
- Local betting markets
- Excellent customer service reps
XBet
XBet has a great mobile platform. Their site will adjust to your phone without a problem, and their interface is silky smooth! In fact, you do not even have to download any app in order to use this great mobile sports betting site in Mass. If you log in to their site via your mobile device, and their will instantly adjust to the look and feel of your tablet or smartphone. If you plan on placing sports wagers on the go, XBet is a great choice.
Pros
- Top of the line banking system
- Creative wagering options
- Mobile betting platform
Legal Sportsbooks in Massachusetts
Sports betting is legal in Massachusetts, and the list below includes all sportsbooks currently authorized to operate in the state. Both retail and offshore sports betting are live, with major platforms like DraftKings, FanDuel, BetMGM, and Caesars available to residents and visitors across the state.
| Sportsbook | Available in Massachusetts |
| FanDuel | ✅ |
| DraftKings | ✅ |
| Caesars | ✅ |
| BetRivers | ❌ |
| BetMGM | ✅ |
| Fanatics | ✅ |
| Unibet | ❌ |
| ESPN Bet | ✅ |
| Bally Bet | ✅ |
Massachusetts Quick Facts
Massachusetts boasts a comprehensive sports betting market, offering both offshore and regulated options statewide. Since the legalization of sports betting in 2022, residents and visitors aged 21 and over can place wagers through licensed platforms such as DraftKings, FanDuel, BetMGM, Caesars, ESPN BET, Fanatics Sportsbook, and Bally Bet. Retail sportsbooks are available at venues like Encore Boston Harbor, MGM Springfield, and Plainridge Park Casino. With a variety of choices and strong regulatory oversight, Massachusetts provides a dynamic environment for sports betting enthusiasts.
| State | Massachusetts |
| Sports Betting Law Passed | Yes ✔️ |
| Launch Date | Retail: January 31st 2023 & Online: March 10th 2023 |
| Minimum Gambling Age | 21 ✔️ |
| Online Sports Betting | Yes ✔️ |
| Mobile Sports Betting | Yes ✔️ |
| Retail Sportsbooks | Yes ✔️ |
| Tribal Casinos | No ❌ |
| Daily Fantasy Sports | Yes ✔️ |
| Online Casinos | No ❌ |
| Horse Racing | Yes ✔️ |
| Dog Racing | No ❌ |
| Esports Betting | Yes ✔️ |
Why It’s Better to Use Offshore Betting Sites Over the Legal Ones
Massachusetts has a fully legal sports betting market, but offshore sportsbooks still hold key advantages that many bettors prefer. The sites we recommend offer a smoother, less restricted experience and often more value than the licensed operators in the state.
Why Offshore Sportsbooks Are Often the Better Choice:
Better Odds and Higher Payouts
Offshore sportsbooks can offer more competitive lines because they aren’t weighed down by Massachusetts taxes and regulation costs.
No State-Based Limitations
With offshore sites, you’re not locked to your state’s borders or location verification tools. You can place bets from anywhere.
No Data Sharing With U.S. Authorities
Legal sportsbooks in Massachusetts may be required to share certain user data with regulatory bodies. Offshore books don’t.
Wider Range of Betting Markets
Offshore sportsbooks cover betting categories that are banned or limited in Massachusetts—like political outcomes, global events, or niche sports.
Cryptocurrency Support
Offshore books often allow crypto deposits and withdrawals, offering faster, more secure, and anonymous transactions.
Lower Betting Minimums
Casual bettors can wager smaller amounts without being pushed into higher-risk bets.
Fewer Limits on Winning Players
Many U.S. books restrict or ban sharp bettors. Offshore sportsbooks are less likely to limit successful accounts.
Stronger Bonuses and Promotions
Offshore platforms tend to offer larger welcome bonuses, more aggressive reload promotions, and more frequent incentives.
Faster Account Creation
No long ID checks or location approvals. Offshore registration is simple and quick.
No Automatic Tax Withholding
Unlike Massachusetts sportsbooks, offshore platforms do not withhold taxes from your winnings.
What You Can’t Bet on in Massachusetts
Legal sportsbooks in Massachusetts have notable restrictions, including:
- No betting on in-state college player props
- No bets on politics or entertainment
- Limited esports coverage
- More tightly regulated in-play/live betting
Offshore sites give you access to all of these betting categories with no restrictions.
Who Can Legally Bet in Massachusetts
To legally place a bet in Massachusetts through a regulated sportsbook, you must meet the following:
- Be 21 or older
- Be physically located within the state at the time of betting
- Residency is not required, but location verification is mandatory
Restrictions apply to:
- Athletes, coaches, and officials involved in sporting events
- Employees of sportsbooks or gambling regulators
- League executives or individuals with potential influence over outcomes
- People on Massachusetts’ self-exclusion or restriction lists
Offshore Sportsbooks Have Fewer Barriers
- Most platforms accept players 18+
- No location-based restrictions — bet from anywhere
- Faster sign-up, fewer regulations, and immediate access to full betting markets
Massachusetts Sports Betting – Recent Updates
- October 20, 2025 – The Massachusetts Gaming Commission is considering limiting celebrity-led sportsbook ads, citing concerns about marketing influence on younger audiences. A proposal is expected to be voted on before the end of the year.
- October 2, 2025 – Massachusetts regulators reported that September betting handle exceeded $580 million, fueled by NFL and college football action. Online operators accounted for over 95% of wagers, continuing the state’s digital dominance. Officials also noted they are reviewing new advertising guidelines to address responsible gaming concerns.
- August 13, 2025 – No updates. Sports betting continues under current regulations following its legalization, with no new legislation or challenges surfacing this summer.
- July 22, 2025 – Massachusetts sports betting revenue reached $62.1 million in June 2025, marking a 41.6% year-over-year increase. This surge follows a record $94.4 million in January 2025. The state has collected approximately $306.47 million in taxes and assessments from licensed operators since the inception of sports wagering in January 2023.
- June 27, 2025 – Massachusetts’ gaming market cleanup continues, as the state attorney general issued cease-and-desist orders to offshore operators BetOnline.ag and SportsBetting.ag.
Reasons to Bet on These Offshore Betting Sites In Massachusetts
Massachusetts online gambling has now been live for several years, giving bettors convenient access to the seven regulated online sportsbooks in the state as well as well-known offshore betting providers. With more competition in the market, players can choose the style of wagering that best fits their needs — whether they prioritize regulation and local availability, or a wider variety of odds, markets, and banking methods.
Many bettors still compare Massachusetts sportsbooks with offshore sportsbooks to see where they may find stronger pricing and bigger rewards. It’s always smart to shop around: check multiple platforms, review the betting lines on major events, and explore the different bonus structures available. Taking a few minutes to compare options can ensure you’re getting the best overall value for your wagering experience. Want our opinion? Offshore sportsbooks are the way to go.
Navigating the online sports betting industry in Massachusetts can be a bit of a challenge. As such, we make life easier for our readers by providing them with five important qualities to look out for when searching through online bookmakers.
Customer Service
This is paramount. When you’re discussing money, and money in big quantities, it’s absolutely imperative that you have someone you can rely on looking after your funds. When deciding on a sportsbook, make sure to check for things like how quickly they respond, their availability, and the different support options they provide. We would advise looking for all, or at least a few, of these qualities as a part of any online provider:
- Live Chat
- Call Center
- Email Service
- Forums
- FAQs
Bovada has been around for a long time and is a well-known and beloved sportsbook.
Broad Range of Betting Lines
Certain sportsbooks focus on particular betting lines, while the vast majority offer a broad range of betting markets. We would advise finding a sportsbook provider that offers the kinds of betting options you’re interested in—whether it be NBA, NFL, or whatever market suits you, ensure that the sportsbook you’re depositing with follows that market.
Access
This is a fairly obvious point to make. But, many sportsbooks are difficult to access due to state and national laws regarding online wagering. As such, we’d suggest that bettors ensure the sportsbook they intend to deposit at offers access to players in Massachusetts.
WagerWeb is a great example of this. They are always among the first to update their odds, really setting the industry’s tone.
Reputation
Similar to what we mentioned with customer service when it comes to reputation you want to be sure you’re working with a sportsbook that has your best interests at heart. This means, protecting your funds and data, as well as ensuring that you’re dealing with an organization that you can trust is very important.
Everygame has great customer service, especially their live chat, available 24/7.
Promotions and Bonuses
Promotions and bonuses are available throughout the year, with almost any sportsbook you’re thinking of depositing with. As such, be sure to make the most of these bonuses and promotions. This means finding a sportsbook that provides a great “welcome bonus” and features a number of seasonal promotions, which often follow the major sports leagues and events.
Potential Legal Sports Betting Sites in Massachusetts
As the Massachusetts market continues to develop, more licensed operators may be approved over time. New platforms could join the existing mix of online and retail options as regulators review applications and monitor market conditions. Bettors should keep an eye on official state announcements to stay informed about which sportsbooks are legally available and meet the required standards for transparency, security, and fair play.
List of Casinos in Massachusetts
Massachusetts has three fully-licensed casinos. You can also enjoy online casinos in Massachusetts at any of the online sportsbooks we recommend.
- Encore Boston Harbor
- Plainridge Park Casino
- MGM Springfield
Massachusetts Sports Betting Timeline
2025
Strong Growth and Market Refinement
Massachusetts continues to see major momentum in its regulated betting industry. With a solid lineup of seven online sportsbooks fully active statewide, online wagering accounts for more than 95% of all action. Regulators are reviewing updated responsible gaming and advertising rules, while operators fine-tune features to improve user experience. New tax contributions and maturing consumer demand signal that Massachusetts sports betting has become a lasting part of the state’s entertainment and economic landscape.
2024
A Year of Expansion and Stability
Now in its second full year, the Massachusetts sports wagering market experienced strong adoption and sharp growth. More promotions and betting options rolled out across the state, while additional operators secured approval — including major national brands that expanded the competitive field. Betting handle climbed significantly during major events such as the NFL and NBA playoffs, showing that enthusiasm for legal sports betting is here to stay.
2023
Sports Betting Goes Live!
Retail sports betting finally launched on January 31, and online sports wagering went live shortly after on March 10. Seven bookies are already operating in the state: DraftKings, Caesars, and FanDuel are among the top sites now accesible for Mass residents. Despite initial delays and challenges, Massachusetts reported a record-breaking month in November 2023, with a staggering $571.7 million in online sports betting handle.
2022
The Bill Finally Passes
In the final hours of the 2022 legislative session, lawmakers approved House Bill H5164, officially legalizing retail and online sports betting in Massachusetts. The bill was signed into law by Governor Charlie Baker in August 2022. Following the bill’s passage, regulators began developing licensing rules and application processes, with the first launches targeted for early 2023.
2021
Things are looking up!
The legislature is really taking sports betting legalization seriously this year! At least 23 sports betting bills were filed in the House or Senate, with the final House bill to be approved H 3977. It passed with overwhelming support: 156-3-1. The Governor has come out to publicly support sports betting, the only roadblock is the Senate.
2020
The Senate stalls
In the last two weeks of the legislative session, sports betting language was added to an economic bill. It passed with huge support, but the Senate approved the bill without the sports betting language.
Despite the best efforts of Senator Michael Brady, who submitted to the amendment to add sports betting legalization, the session ended without Senate parity.
2019
Not much traction
Many legislators have submitted sports betting legalization bills. None received significant support or media attention.
2018
SCOTUS opens thins up
The Supreme Court struck down the Professional and Amateur Sports Protection Act that limited the states that could legalize and regulate sports betting. This allowed states to begin licensing local sportsbooks. Many states would do so immediately.
Massachusetts Sports Teams to Bet on
MLB Betting in Massachusetts
- Boston Red Sox – The Red Sox play baseball in the American League (AL) East division. They have a long history, having been founded in 1901 as one of the American League’s eight charter franchises.
NFL Betting in Massachusetts
- New England Patriots – The Pats play football in the American Football Conference (AFC) East division. They are consistently one of the most valuable sports teams in the world and consistently sell out every home game.
NBA Betting in Massachusetts
- Boston Celtics – The Celtics play in the NBA’s Eastern Conference Atlantic Division. Their mascot is in recognition of Boston’s large and historic Irish population.
NHL Betting in Massachusetts
- Boston Bruins – The Bruins skate in the Atlantic Division in the Eastern Conference. They are one of the six original NHL teams, and they have been in Boston the whole time.
Massachusetts and Daily Fantasy Sports
Massachusetts has officially legalized daily fantasy sports betting. While other states let apps like FanDuel and DraftKings operate in a legal gray area, Massachusetts has explicitly legalized the practice. They did so at first on a temporary basis in 2016. Then in 2018, they made this permanent. So bettors in Massachusetts can legally access, sign up and play on Daily Fantasy Sports apps and sites!
Is Horse Racing Legal in Massachusetts
Yes, it is! The state of Massachusetts has legalized and regulated horse racing and parimutuel betting. You can bet at retail locations, as well as online, on racebooks licensed by Massachusetts. But all of these regulation measures and taxing tend to make these options more expensive for users. The racebooks you find on this page pass their savings on to the bettors in Massachusetts.
Nearest States With Legal Betting
There are lots of states in the Northeast, and many of them have legalized sports betting. To its south, Rhode Island and Connecticut have legalized sports betting. To the west, New York has also begun licensing sportsbooks. To its north, Vermont has yet to join New Hampshire in legalizing sports betting. However, anyone can access online sportsbooks like the ones we recommend on this page! You can sign up today without a problem.
List of Massachusetts Sports Betting Resources
Deepen your knowledge of Massachusetts sports betting with these valuable resources:
- Massachusetts Gaming Commission: Official regulator for gambling activities in Massachusetts.
- Office of Problem Gambling Services: Provides support and resources for those impacted by gambling addiction.
- Massachusetts Sports Betting Law: Details of Bill H.5164, which legalized sports betting in Massachusetts.
- Massachusetts Sports Betting Regulations: Comprehensive guide to the rules governing online and retail sports betting.
- Massachusetts Legislature: Stay informed on ongoing legislative efforts related to gambling in the state.
- The Boston Globe: Follow sports news and developments across New England, including updates on Massachusetts sports betting.
Check out these top Massachusetts Betting Sites
Massachusetts Sports Betting FAQ
Find answers to common questions bettors like you have when researching which sportsbook to join.
There are three great casinos available to bettors in the state. These are:
- Encore Boston Harbor
- Plainridge Park Casino
- MGM Springfield
Mobile betting has become a core part of any online betting service, with the majority of offshore bookmakers offering it. Now that online sports betting is legal in the state, you can also access US mobile bookies licensed in Massachusetts.
Online betting is legal in Massachusetts. However, for those bettors that want better bonuses and more competitive odds, we’d still advise taking a look at the range of offshore bookmakers we recommend.
This is a difficult question, as so many great sportsbooks offer Patriots betting odds. What we’d advise doing is to find a sportsbook you enjoy, then see if the Patriots there match up to those of our other top-rated bookmakers.
Sports betting is already legal in the Bay State. Both retail sports betting and online sportsbooks were made accesible to the residents of Massachusetts during the first months of 2023.
Yes, you can! We recommend a number of great sportsbooks available right now!
Yes it is! You can use this app legally, even if it is not really your best option.
You can legally use DraftKings, though we would not recommend it, as it is rather expensive compared to other options.
Yes, you can! The Massachusetts sportsbooks we recommend have great banking options and fast payouts.
It is! You can bet online on sports using any of the sportsbooks that we recommend here!
Chris Boline is a renowned sports journalist with a lifelong passion for the industry. Originally from Reno, Nevada, he is a key business development figure in college athletics, with over a decade of experience with the NBA G League, Los Angeles Chargers, and Mountain West Conference. Boline holds an MBA from the University of Nevada. He has received MVP an...
Read More About the Author
Best Betting Sites 