Massachusetts Sports Betting Sites
Considering Boston’s reputation as a sports-centric city, it was only a matter of time before the state of Massachusetts legalized online sports betting. Although the betting industry is a fairly new one in the state, numerous online sportsbooks have already entered the market, allowing bettors to explore the ever-growing network of sportsbooks.
So, let us walk you through the best betting sites in Massachusetts and how you can navigate through the state’s online gambling scene. We’ll go over the most popular betting markets, bonuses and promotions, sports events to bet on, and, naturally, the legality of online betting in MA. Let’s start with our list of the best sports betting markets for Massachusetts bettors.
Top-Rated Massachusetts Sportsbooks Online in 2024
- Top-rated mobile app
- Early payout with excellent odds
- Excellent loyalty program
Our Filtering Process for Online Betting Sites
Each of the above-mentioned MA betting sites underwent rigorous reviewing criteria. We focus on aspects bettors would be most interested in, so here are the focal points of each of our ratings:
- Security and legitimacy: A license by the Massachusetts Gaming Commission ensures the operator adheres to strict regulatory requirements. Further, secure payment gateways and SSL encryption to safeguard bettors’ transactions are the bare minimum a sportsbook has to provide.
- Past experiences and opinions: We don’t just rely on what is seen on the surface. For an online betting site to find itself on our lists, it must have a stellar reputation and no negative complaints over its payments to sports bettors, among other aspects.
- Bonus variety: We know how important bonuses can be for punters, so we pay close attention to the versatility of promotional offers. We prioritize Massachusetts online operators with several offers for both new and avid bettors, also taking the terms into account.
- Betting markets and odds: Of course, the range of sports and associated betting markets have a significant impact as well. Hence, we carefully examine the available sports, markets, and attached odds, comparing them to other platforms in the industry.
Is Sports Betting Legal in Massachusetts?
The federal government did not allow legalized sports betting in the USA until 2018 when the Supreme Court repealed the Professional and Amateur Sports Protection Act. Since then, states have been allowed to construct the legal framework for the industry individually.
However, Massachusetts didn’t jump on the legal sports betting wagon straight away. Senator Eileen Donoghue was one of the most forward-thinking lawmakers back in 2018, and she introduced a sports betting bill in the same year.
Unfortunately, that bill never gained much traction. The industry remained unregulated until 2022, when lawmakers finally approved the Massachusetts Sports Wagering Act. Governor Charlie Baker signed it, and the bill finally came into effect in March 2023, when the first sportsbook launched in Massachusetts.
The H5164, commonly known as the Massachusetts Sports Wagering Act, serves as a game-changer in the state’s betting landscape. Here are its key features:
- There is a 20% tax for online betting operators.
- Betting on college teams is only allowed if they play in big tournaments.
- Casinos can apply for a sports betting license.
- There is no advertising ban currently.
- Credit card use is not allowed for gambling.
- The operators must display big “21 and over” logos and banners, which indicate the legal gambling age.
Massachusetts Sports Betting Taxes for Bettors
Gambling winnings in Massachusetts are taxed as ordinary income, so they are subject to a flat 5% rate. You also need to know about the federal withholding of gambling winnings. If you win over $5,000, the sportsbook will withhold 24% and is obliged to issue you a Form W-2G. That means for all winnings over $5,000, you have to provide the operator with your Tax ID number and two forms of ID.
Popular MA Sports Betting Bonuses
The best MA betting apps and sites frequently offer promotions to increase player retention. From welcome packages all the way to ongoing reload bonuses, there are various Massachusetts sports betting promos to keep you engaged. Let’s briefly explain the most common ones.
Different Types of Welcome Offers
You can start your online betting journey with a bang, thanks to hefty welcome bonuses at the top sportsbooks in Massachusetts. To claim the welcome bonus (which is usually a deposit match on your first deposit), you need to register and top up your account. However, welcome offers may come in different forms as well, such as risk-free bets and no deposit bonuses.
Risk-Free Bets
It is not just a match bonus on your first deposit that can act as a welcome bonus on MA online sports betting sites. You may be incentivized to sign up, make a deposit, and place a bet; if that bet turns out to be an unsuccessful one, you will get a second-chance bet that will be added to your balance as bonus credit you can use for the next bet.
No Deposit Bonus Offers
A no deposit bonus is also commonly offered as a welcome promotion in the form of free bets and bonus funds. You can also claim such offers later on in your betting adventure, but note that they are also subject to wagering requirements. You can also think of cashback deals as a form of a no deposit offer.
Matched Reload Bonuses
Deposit match offers can come in later in your betting journey, and they are often referred to as reload bonuses. As the name implies, the sports betting site will “reload” your betting balance with bonus funds that you can use to place real-money bets. Note that the bonus funds you get here are subject to wagering requirements before you can request a withdrawal.
Loyalty and VIP Programs
MA sportsbooks value loyalty, so you can expect exclusive rewards through their loyalty clubs or VIP programs. The very best operators in Massachusetts have both—loyalty programs for avid punters who continuously place bets, while VIP programs are specially designed schemes for high-rollers. Both schemes contain valuable perks and personalized benefits.
Most Popular Events on Massachusetts Sports Betting Sites
You can use all the above-mentioned bonuses at Massachusetts sportsbooks to make bet slips on an array of sports and events—both international and local tournaments are available in Massachusetts. However, MA bettors prefer certain sports more compared to others, as several local teams play in top professional divisions in the US.
The National Football League
With so many teams and events throughout the year, the NFL is an absolute giant in the world of sports betting. You can expect a wealth of wagering options on Massachusetts betting apps and sites—both for pre-match and live betting.
Some of the popular betting markets for the NFL include:
- Moneyline: The simplest form of NFL bet that sees you pick a team that you think will win a match.
- Point spread: You back a team to win by a certain margin, so an ordinary win won’t be enough. For example, if you strongly favor the New England Patriots to overcome a -4.5 spread, then they will need to win by 5 or more points.
- Over/under: You don’t need to choose the New England Patriots to win a game; instead, you can place a wager on the total number of points and not worry about who wins.
Besides, you can spice up your betting journey with prop bets on specific player performances as well as longer-term events to happen in a season.
The National Basketball Association
Massachusetts has a soft spot for the NBA, and given the history of the Celtics, it shouldn’t be a surprise. They are one of the oldest NBA original teams and have won the most championships in the competition’s history.
So, you can transmit your love for the NBA to your bets through the rich array of betting markets available at MA sportsbooks online. Common ones include:
- Moneyline
- NBA spread
- NBA point totals
- Parlays: multiple selections into one wager
- Player props, such as the first basket
Major League Baseball
Boston’s Red Sox is an original American League franchise that goes back to 1901, so you can understand the deep-rooted love for MLB among Massachusetts residents. So, operators seek to capitalize on the sport’s popularity by offering a plethora of betting options.
Moneyline bets are ideal for inexperienced punters, as they only require them to back a winner for the specific game. Then, run line bets are similar to point spreads in other sports. If the Red Sox are favorites for a certain match, you can increase the odds and potentially your payout by backing them to win by a bigger margin.
There is a specific bet type for MLB called “first five innings.” This bet type is ideal for punters who think that the starting pitchers have a decent chance of being on top at the start but are unsure about their overall performance. You can back teams to go ahead in the first five innings, or you can place total bets for the same period.
The National Hockey League
Boston is also home to one of the oldest NHL sports teams in the league—the Bruins. They are usually known for their physical and scrappy game style, so experienced bettors always feel confident in backing them to do well throughout the season.
If you are interested in NHL betting, just a fraction of the available markets include:
- Moneyline: Simply back the team that you think will win the game.
- Puck line: Works as the point spread in other sports, as you need to back a team to win by a certain margin.
- Totals: You try to predict whether the total number of goals will be lower or higher than the line set by the sportsbook.
- Prop bets: Depending on the Massachusetts sportsbook, you can expect a wide variety of prop bets for NHL games, such as head-to-head bets between two players, betting at the end of each quarter, etc.
College Sports
Even though Massachusetts is home to several notable college teams like the Boston College Eagles, they are not as closely followed as the state’s professional teams from top leagues. The current legislation doesn’t even allow punters from MA to bet on sports when it comes to college events. You can only back teams and place wagers during big events and tournaments, such as March Madness.
Tennis Tournaments
Finally, tennis is one of the most common sports to bet on due to how it enhances the overall betting experience. There are numerous tournaments throughout the year, so punters have plenty of betting options.
Here, outright bets are more common than in other sports in this list, as bettors feel confident in backing the likes of Djokovic, Alcaraz, Sinner, and co. to win the competition eventually.
Match betting is also available, and in tennis, there are only two possible outcomes: either player A wins or player B goes home with the win in the bag.
Set betting is also quite popular, as you have the chance to either bet on the correct score of the match or who you think will win the next set. In addition, over/under and tie breaks are at your disposal, so you are never short of interesting options.
Partnerships Between Betting Sites and Local Teams
With the rise of sports betting in Massachusetts, several local teams have formed partnerships with major betting operators. Below are some notable partnerships:
| Betting Site | Local Partner | Year | Description |
| BetMGM | Boston Red Sox | 2023 | BetMGM signage at Fenway Park, as well as curating VIP fan experiences. |
| FanDuel | Boston Bruins | 2023 | Mutual partnership across social media content and exclusive promotions for Bruins games. |
| DraftKings | Boston Celtics | 2023 | DraftKings is closely associated with the team, offering various promotions and fan engagement opportunities related to Celtics games. |
Daily Fantasy Sports in Massachusetts
Daily fantasy sports have been legal in Massachusetts since 2016. All the top sportsbooks in MA offer daily fantasy contests you can take part in. These contests mirror season-long fantasy tournaments but are shrunk into daily or weekly formats, thus adding a bit of fast pace and more excitement for punters.
DFS works very simply:
- Choose a betting site from our list.
- Find a daily contest you are interested in (all major leagues are integrated).
- Draft your fantasy team with the salary cap you are given.
- Earn points based on real-game performances and secure prizes along the way.
Massachusetts Betting Apps
The online gambling landscape has evolved to a point where bettors now prefer to place bets on their smartphones rather than be tied to their computers. As such, the most prominent online betting operators have fully functional mobile sportsbook apps, which you can download on most iOS or Android devices.
Betting on sports in Massachusetts using apps is usually not quite different from the browser versions, so you can expect a simple user interface and access to all sportsbook features, including bonuses, payments, betting markets, and customer support.
How to Get Started with Massachusetts Sports Betting Platforms
Now that you’ve gathered all this expertise on the online betting scene in MA, you may feel eager to try out the betting markets mentioned above and claim the most rewarding bonuses. Here is the process in a nutshell:
- Pick an online sportsbook: Scan our list of featured MA betting sites, check out the details to see all about their transaction limits, payment methods, bonus conditions, etc., and choose one that you deem the perfect fit.
- Sign up: The registration process usually entails entering personal information such as name, email, username, password, address of living, and so on. Fill out the registration form, and you will be nearly there.
- Deposit funds: Select a payment method from the list and make your first deposit. The funds should arrive in your account in no time. Once your account is topped up, you can claim the welcome bonus if available.
- Place a bet: Choose an event and a betting market, and you’ll be ready for your first bet. Review your selections. If everything seems right, confirm the bet.
The Promising Massachusetts Sports Betting Landscape
Even though Massachusetts was not among the first US states to legalize online sports betting, the early signs are more than promising. The biggest names in the industry have already entered the scene in MA, with plenty more to come soon. Just make sure you know what you’re looking for in terms of what sportsbooks offer, or at least explore our recommended options.
The good news is that we have already found and rated the top betting platforms operating in Massachusetts, so you don’t have to. Browse through our list and start your online betting endeavor in no time.
FAQs on Online Sports Betting in Massachusetts
Yes, online sports betting has been legal in Massachusetts since 2023. It is one of the freshest US states to legalize the industry, and it was welcomed by all betting enthusiasts in the state.
The best Massachusetts sportsbooks have fully functional and responsive apps for iOS and Android devices. You can download the apps via the Play Store or App Store, with some operators even containing direct download links on their websites.
Every punter in MA has different preferences for their sports bets. Nonetheless, our research of top sites and punters’ preferences shows that MA bettors lean more towards betting on the NFL, NBA, MLB, NHL, and tennis.
The current online gambling legislation only allows MA punters to place college bets when big tournaments, such as the March Madness, take place. Unfortunately, no prop bets are allowed in the process.
Yes, it is. The top sports betting operators active in the state offer DFS contests for major tournaments. Local teams from Boston are also integrated well, so you can draft your team based on your salary cap and compete for top prizes depending on how the players perform during the week.
Most sportsbooks in MA offer handsome welcome bonuses as an incentive for new players to sign up and make a deposit. The exact structure of the offer can vary, but more often than not, you can expect a deposit match on your first deposit or a second chance bet.
Thankfully, there is not just one operator that falls under the top-class bracket. Our experts have found and rated numerous Massachusetts betting sites that tick all the boxes. Feel free to check out our list above and choose a platform that matches your preferences.
You don’t have to be an MA resident to place bets at online sportsbooks in the state. As long as you are within state lines, all betting operators will allow you to sign up.
Yes, gambling winnings are taxable as ordinary income, and the tax rate is 5%. Note that if you win more than $5,000, the operator will withhold 24% of the total sum due to federal requirements.