Massachusetts Online Sports Betting Guide 2024
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Online sports betting is now fully legal and regulated in Massachusetts, with the industry gaining momentum since its 2023 launch. While finding the best MA online sportsbook might seem daunting at first, having a clear understanding of how these platforms operate within the state can make all the difference. Without this knowledge, you may encounter challenges or even financial losses. That’s where we come in!
With the right insights into Massachusetts sports betting, you’ll be equipped to choose a safe and reliable online sportsbook.
🔑 Key Takeaways
- Explore the top online sportsbooks available in Massachusetts.
- Understand the legal landscape of online betting in Massachusetts.
Top Massachusetts Sports Betting Sites and Apps
Massachusetts boasts 7 legal and licensed online sportsbooks that sports bettors can choose from. Here is our top 5:
Quick Facts About Massachusetts Sports Betting Laws
| Legal Sports Betting Launch Date | January 31, 2023 (retail), March 10, 2023 (online) |
| State Regulator | Massachusetts Gaming Commission |
| Legal Age | 21+ |
| Number of Licensed Bookmakers | 7 |
| Retail Betting | ✅ |
| Horse Racing | ✅ |
| Daily Fantasy Sports | ✅ |
| eSport Betting | ❌ |
| College Sports Betting | Bets on in-state college teams allowed only during major events like March Madness |
| Help Line | 1-800-327-5050 |
Is Online Sports Betting Legal in Massachusetts?
Yes, online sports betting is legal in Massachusetts!
Sports betting regulation in the US is left to individual states. This means that while some states do not offer legal betting, some of them have thriving sports wagering industries. Massachusetts is one of the latter. Sports fans in Massachusetts can bet on sports both in person at brick-and-mortar establishments and online at approved internet-based operators.
In 2022, Governor Charlie Baker signed Massachusetts House Bill No. 5164. Also known as ‘An Act to Regulate Sports Wagering’, Bill 5164 made sports betting legal in the state and placed the Massachusetts Gaming Commission (MGC) in charge of overseeing the industry.
In January 2023, retail betting launched in the state. In March of that same year, online betting made its debut. Massachusetts sports betting sites burst onto the scene in quick succession. Fast forward to 2024 and the state now has 7 licensed sportsbooks:
Overall, the legalization of Massachusetts sports betting has been fairly straightforward. It has joined the other legal sports betting states in the US without much subsequent controversy or difficulty at all, and the online betting industry continues to attract interest from in-state players.
How to Bet on Sports in Massachusetts
Finding the right operator and placing a bet might seem daunting, but don’t worry – the process isn’t nearly as difficult as you might imagine. To help you out along the way, we’ve pulled together a quick overview of the betting process in MA.
- First, pick your online sports betting operator. If you don’t have a favorite provider yet, don’t worry. We’ll go over some of the most popular and trustworthy options just a bit later.
- Once you have your operator of choice in mind, sign up for an account and take a look at the events available for wagering. More specifically, pick your sport, team, and (if applicable) players.
- Decide how much money you want to wager, and then fill in the requested information. Submit the bet, and you’re all set. That’s it!
Popular Sports and Teams to Bet on in Massachusetts
One of the reasons that Massachusetts sports betting is so popular is the state’s thriving sports industry. From amateur athletics to professional teams, there is a lot for sports fans to love.
More specifically, teams from Massachusetts have won:
- Six Stanley Cups (Boston Bruins)
- 10 World Series (one Atlanta Braves, nine Boston Red Sox)
- Six Super Bowls (New England Patriots)
- 17 NBA Championships (Boston Celtics)
Fun fact: Did you know that Massachusetts is also home to the Volleyball Hall of Fame and the Basketball Hall of Fame?
The state hosts prestigious sports events, including the Cape Cod Baseball League and the Boston Marathon. Add to this the great number of NCAA Division 1 members in the state, such as Boston College, Harvard University, and Boston University, among several others, and you have a veritable sports mecca for fans of all kinds.
With so many excellent teams in the state, which are the most popular sports teams in Massachusetts? There are a few teams that rise above the rest across many sports:
- Baseball: The Boston Red Sox are arguably the most popular baseball team in the area.
- Football: The New England Patriots take the crown for football teams, with 45% of New Englanders ranking them as their favorite sports team.
- Basketball: The Boston Celtics are undoubtedly the top pick for basketball, with Jaylen Brown and Jayson Tatum proving popular players among fans.
- Ice hockey: The Boston Bruins are beloved by Massachusetts ice hockey fans.
- Soccer: The New England Revolution are also top picks for locals and international fans alike.
As you might imagine, the successes or lackluster team performances in any given sports season have an impact on local MA betting. Teams that do well tend to have much more bettor interest around championships and tournaments, leading to an increased amount of betting. If their performance throughout the season is solid, however, interest surrounding big games will likely increase rapidly.
Are There More Gambling Options in Massachusetts?
Beyond mobile sports betting, Massachusetts offers a variety of gambling activities for enthusiasts:
- Retail Sports Betting: Massachusetts features physical sports betting sites regulated by the state, including BetMGM at MGM Springfield and Caesars Sportsbook at Plainridge Park Casino, offering trustworthy and luxurious betting experiences.
- Horse Racing: Betting on horse racing is available at Plainridge Racecourse, the state’s sole active racetrack.
- Fantasy Sports: Legalized permanently in 2018, daily fantasy sports are offered by well-known platforms such as DraftKings and FanDuel, catering to Massachusetts sports fans.
- Casino Gambling: While online casino gaming is not yet available, Massachusetts provides several retail casino locations where players can enjoy table games and slots.
- Massachusetts State Lottery: Established in 1971, this state-sponsored lottery includes games like Mega Millions and in-house options, with proceeds supporting the state’s general fund. Players must purchase tickets in person.
Tips and Strategies for Massachusetts Bettors
If you hope to increase your Massachusetts sports betting revenue and maximize your bets, the first thing you have to master is the art of making an effective wager. It all begins with research.
Questions to ask include:
- How familiar are you with the team you want to bet on?
Look into not just how the team in question has done historically in events similar to the one you want to bet on, but also into season-specific trends. - How have players been performing this season?
Compare this with the previous season’s performance.
Want to know more about how to get better at sports betting in general? Take a look at the detailed guide we’ve put together to help you maximize your bet potential!
Massachusetts Sports Betting Taxes
Did you know that winning wagers are taxable? As with nearly everything else in life, the IRS requires MA residents to pay a certain portion of their earnings.
While tax laws can be complex, and it is always advisable to speak with a professional when filing your taxes, in general, Massachusetts sports betting taxes stand at 5% of wagering winnings. Note that the words ‘wagering winnings’ are important.
Massachusetts doesn’t tax wagering profits, but rather wagering winnings.
Example: If you win $500 but lose $1,000 in a given fiscal year, your profit is -$500. You lost more than you won.
With some exceptions, you will still have to pay a 5% tax on your winnings in Massachusetts even if your overall outcome is a net loss. Sports betting taxes require a bit of time to understand completely, but in general, you can expect to pay at least 5% regardless of the amount you win.
If you win more than $5,000, your sportsbook is required to withhold 24% of the sum in addition to the 5% income tax required in the state. It should also give you a Form W-2G to document both the win and the amount of money it kept.
So, Will You Bet from Massachusetts Tonight?
At this point, we hope that you have a better understanding of how online sports betting in Massachusetts works. It might seem intimidating at first, but betting on your favorite team is pretty straightforward.
Now that you have the basics down, you can consider placing a wager on the next big game! But before you do that, check out these Massachusetts Sportsbook promos so you can kickstart your betting journey with a little extra push.
