Legal Massachusetts Betting Sites

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Massachusetts Online Sports Betting Overview

Licensed sportsbook apps and websites allow fans to bet on sports online in Massachusetts safely and legally.

This page covers the Massachusetts online sports betting law in-depth below, but there are a few key things to know upfront:

• Online and in-person sports betting are legal
• Fans must be 21 or older to bet on sports in Massachusetts
• Licensed Massachusetts online sportsbooks may not accept credit card deposits
• Massachusetts sportsbooks may offer professional, college, and esports betting
• Sportsbooks may not accept wagers on games involving Massachusetts universities

Massachusetts Sports Betting Apps

State law authorizes up to 15 legal Massachusetts betting apps. As is the case in many states, online sportsbook brands must partner with local gaming interests to be eligible for licenses.

Each of Massachusetts’ three land-based casinos may launch up to two individual online betting platforms, and each of the state’s two race tracks may launch one.

In addition, seven operators may apply for online-only sports betting licenses.

Below is a list of online sports betting apps that are legal in Massachusetts:

• BetMGM Sportsbook
• FanDuel Sportsbook
• Caesars Sportsbook
• Fanatics Sportsbook
• DraftKings Sportsbook
• ESPN Bet
• Bally Bet
• Underdog Sports
• Betr

Massachusetts Sports Betting Bonuses

Most Massachusetts betting sites offer welcome bonuses as they compete for market share in the newly-regulated market.

Many Massachusetts sports betting bonuses consist of variants of the second chance offer, which pays bonus bets to new users who lose their first wager.

Less frequently, bettors can find first deposit match bonuses and “bet and get” promos that give new users bonus funds based on their first deposit or first wager.

BettingUSA regularly updates Massachusetts sports betting promotions and signup offers as they launch.

Massachusetts Sportsbook Promo Codes

How To Bet Online In Massachusetts

Massachusetts law allows fans 21 or older to bet on sports through licensed online sportsbooks and betting apps from anywhere in the state.

Getting started involves three steps and only takes a few minutes from start to finish.

Almost everyone of legal age is eligible to participate in Massachusetts sports betting online, but state law mandates some restrictions for “restricted persons” who are:

• Self-excluded from Massachusetts gambling
• Placing wagers on behalf of another person
• Privy to private information held by a sports betting operator
• Prohibited by the Gaming Commission for any other reason
• Athletes, coaches, owners, referees, or employees of teams or governing organizations (may not wager on the sports with which they’re involved)
• Sportsbook owners, directors, officers, employees, and their same-household relatives (may not wager on their own platforms)

Depositing At Massachusetts Sportsbooks

Massachusetts sports betting regulations (205 CMR 248.10) allow sportsbooks to accept a wide range of betting deposit methods:

• Cash or cash equivalents
• Foreign currency converted to US currency
• Cryptocurrencies like Bitcoin, Ethereum, etc. convetered to cash
• Electronic bank transfers
• Online and mobile payment systems like PayPal, Venmo, and Apple Pay
• Debit cards and prepaid access instruments

In addition, the Massachusetts Gaming Commission (MGC) has the authority to approve any other payment method it finds sufficiently safe and transparent.

However, readers should note that Massachusetts sports betting regulations prohibit the use of credit cards, “either directly or indirectly, including without limitation through an account funded by credit card.”

Licensed betting sites process most deposits instantly, meaning bettors can choose a payment method, confirm the amount, and begin placing wagers immediately.

Withdrawals usually take 2-5 business days from the initial request to money-in-the-bank, although instant withdrawals are becoming more common as the industry improves payment processing standards.

In most cases, online sportsbooks in Massachusetts issue payouts to the same method used to deposit.

For example, someone who uses PayPal to deposit will receive their next withdrawal back to the same PayPal account.

Additional MGC regulations designed to ensure consumer protection require Massachusetts sportsbooks to:

• Honor withdrawal requests within five business days, barring limited exceptions for tax reporting paperwork or a good faith belief the customer has committed fraud
• Honor withdrawal requests without soliciting customers to reverse their withdrawals
• Offer daily, weekly, and monthly deposit limits to promote responsible gambling
• Employ mechanisms to detect and prevent withdrawals that would result in negative account balances
• Employ mechanisms to detect and prevent unauthorized withdrawal activity
• Provide means for customers to withdraw funds even if their accounts have been closed

Massachusetts Sports Betting Locations

Casinos and race tracks may apply for licenses to operate retail sportsbooks on their property.

Sportsbooks at three Massachusetts casinos are now open for business, and two additional locations may open in the future.

• : Opening date delayed indefinitely due to

Massachusetts Sports Betting Law

The Massachusetts Gaming Commission () regulates online sports betting in the Bay State. Its duties include issuing licenses to qualified operators, overseeing sports wagering, and issuing additional regulations as necessary.

The Massachusetts Sports Wagering Act () provides the regulatory outline, while regulations adopted by the MGC take care of the details.

Massachusetts Sports Betting Regulations

The Massachusetts Sports Wagering Act directs the MGC to issue additional rules and regulations needed to implement the Act, enforce state law, collect taxes and fees, ensure consumer protection, and promote responsible gambling.

Some of the key subjects MGC regulations address:

• Ensuring no one under 21 years of age participates in sports betting
• Prohibiting the use or purchase of personal biometric data of athletes to aid bettors
• Ensuring advertisements and promotional offers are not deceptive, false, or misleading
• Prohibiting advertising directed at people who have self-excluded from sports betting in Massachusetts or are under 21 years old
• Rules related to consumer protection, responsible gambling, and sports integrity

Massachusetts Sports Betting Licenses

State law requires all Massachusetts sportsbooks and online betting sites to acquire one of three types of licenses:

• Category 1 License: Allows casinos to operate retail sportsbooks and up to two online betting platforms each.
• Category 2 License: Allows horse race tracks and off-track betting parlors (OTBs) to operate retail sportsbooks and up to one online betting platform each.
• Category 3 License: Up to seven standalone licenses that allow qualified entities to offer online sports betting without partnering with local casinos or race tracks

In all, there’s room for up to 15 online sportsbooks in Massachusetts. Each of the commonwealth’s three commercial casinos may partner with two online betting operators, its two race tracks may partner with one operator apiece, and seven more operators may apply for standalone licenses.

Massachusetts Sports Betting Taxes and Licensing Fees

• $1 million application fee that covers a temporary license to commence sports betting immediately
• $5 million initial licensing fee
• $5 million renewal fee every five years
• 15% tax on in-person sports wagering
• 20% tax on online sports betting
• Standalone online sports betting operators must collectively pay an annual $1 million fee into the Massachusetts responsible and problem gambling fund

Permitted Types of Wagers in Massachusetts

State law allows Massachusetts sportsbooks to accept wagers on:

• Professional sports events
• College sports, but sportsbooks may not accept wagers on events involving Massachusetts colleges unless they are involved in a collegiate tournament
• Esports
• Motor racing

How Massachusetts Legalized Sports Betting

Massachusetts Daily Fantasy Sports

Massachusetts legalized daily fantasy sports in 2016, and passed two more bills in subsequent years to establish a permanent regulatory framework and institute a 15% tax on operators.

As a result, fantasy sports operators must register with the Massachusetts Gaming Commission and conform to various rules designed to protect customers’ funds, promote responsible gambling, and ensure a level playing field for DFS players of all skill levels.

Massachusetts daily fantasy sports sites offer varied contest types and most welcome new customers with sizable bonuses.

Fans can read more about the Massachusetts daily fantasy market and see recommendations of where to play below:

• Massachusetts Daily Fantasy Sports Apps

Massachusetts Horse Racing Betting

Horse racing and pari-mutuel wagering are legal and regulated in Massachusetts. In-person wagering, simulcast wagering, and online horse racing betting are all legal if offered by licensed entities.

See BettingUSA’s recommended Massachusetts horse racing betting sites, race tracks, and OTBs:

• Massachusetts Horse Racing Betting Sites

Massachusetts Online Gambling

Massachusetts is a promising candidate to legalize online casinos and poker sites, but for now the closest alternative available to players in the Bay State is Sweepstakes gambling sites.

Lawmakers have considered legislation to legalize Massachusetts online gambling during most legislative sessions over the past decade, and although progress has been slow, there are reasons to be optimistic.

For one, MGM and Penn National support legalizing online casinos in Massachusetts, and both companies offer online gambling in other states.

Secondly, Massachusetts’ decision to legalize online sports betting has increased the odds lawmakers will reach an agreement on legislation to legalize online gambling.

In addition, lawmakers have launched multiple commissions to study the impact of legalizing Massachusetts online gambling.

One study in particular was conducted by a special commission formed by the legislature and was widely expected to recommend legalization.

The final report was released in July 2017, and was vaguely supportive of legalization, although perhaps not on the timeline proponents were hoping.

Overall, the commission was supportive of expanding online gambling in Massachusetts.

The special commission urged lawmakers to consider a wide range of gambling activities beyond just daily fantasy sports, including casino games, sports betting, social gaming and online prediction markets.

The commission also recommended looking at how other states have managed online gambling.

The commission also suggested using broad language to define online gambling, to regulate the industry but to avoid stamping out innovation with burdensome regulations/taxes, and to give special consideration to the growth of eSports.

On the issue of legalization, the commission recommended against immediate legalization of additional forms of gambling.

Instead, the commission urged lawmakers to first regulate daily fantasy sports and the opening of two more resort casinos.

However, the commission did say online gambling in Massachusetts is “inevitable” and urged lawmakers to revisit the issue in the near future.

Massachusetts Online Lottery

The Massachusetts State Lottery does not directly sell individual lottery tickets online, but the Jackpocket Lottery app is available to players in the Bay State as a lottery courier service.

Additionally, the Massachusetts Lottery offers a subscription service marketed as “season tickets” in which customers can pay to enter drawings automatically for three or six months upfront.

Once you pay and fill out the season tickets form, the lottery will automatically enter you into each drawing.

Massachusetts Lottery season tickets are available for Mega Millions, Megabucks Doubler, Powerball and Lucky for Life, and players may purchase them online or at licensed retailers.

Non-residents may also purchase MassCash and Megabucks Doubler season tickets online and have them delivered to out-of-state addresses

Visit for a list of authorized Massachusettts State Lottery retailers.

Massachusetts Gambling Laws

The Massachusetts criminal code outlaws all forms of gambling that aren’t expressly legal. The law does not mention online casinos specifically, but it prohibits the use of the telephone to participate in gambling.

This could be construed to apply to the internet (in a similar fashion to the federal Wire Act) but there is no case law to refer to. No person has ever been charged under this law for using online casinos or poker sites.

Here’s what says in regard to betting over a telephone:

Whoever uses a telephone or, being the occupant in control of premises where a telephone is located or a subscriber for a telephone, knowingly permits another to use a telephone so located or for which he subscribes, as the case may be, for the purpose of accepting wagers or bets, or buying or selling of pools, or for placing all or any portion of a wager with another, upon the result of a trial or contest of skill, speed, or endurance of man, beast, bird, or machine, or upon the result of an athletic game or contest, or upon the lottery called the numbers game, or for the purpose of reporting the same to a headquarters or booking office, or who under a name other than his own or otherwise falsely or fictitiously procures telephone service for himself or another for such purposes, shall be punished by a fine of not more than two thousand dollars or by imprisonment for not more than one year

The penalties for participating in gambling and organizing gambling without the proper authorization are fairly minor for players but are quite harsh for those in the “business” of gambling.

outlines the financial penalty for participating in unauthorized gambling:

Whoever, on a prosecution commenced within eighteen months after the commission of the crime, is convicted of winning at one time or sitting, by gaming or betting on the sides or hands of those gaming, except as permitted under chapter 23K, money or goods to the value of five dollars or more, and of receiving the same or security therefor, shall forfeit double the value of such money or goods.

takes it further by adding penalties for gamblers who play in public areas or trespass on private areas to partake in unlawful gambling and for those who organize such games:

Whoever, in a public conveyance or public place, or in a private place upon which he is trespassing, plays at cards, dice or any other game for money or other property, or bets on the sides or hands of those playing, except as permitted under chapter 23K, shall forfeit not more than fifty dollars or be imprisoned for not more than three months; and whoever sets up or permits such a game shall be punished by a fine of not less than fifty nor more than one hundred dollars or by imprisonment for not less than three nor more than twelve months.

outlines the harsh penalty for organizing gambling with the following text:

Whoever knowingly organizes, supervises, manages or finances at least four persons so that such persons may provide facilities or services or assist in the provision of facilities or services for the conduct of illegal lotteries, or for the illegal registration of bets or the illegal buying or selling of pools upon the result of a trial or contest of skill, speed or endurance of man, beast, bird or machine, or upon the happening of any event, or upon the result of a game, competition, political nomination, appointment or election, or whoever knowingly receives from at least four such persons compensation or payment in any form as a return from such lotteries, such registration or such buying or selling shall be punished by imprisonment in the state prison for not more than fifteen years or by a fine of not more than ten thousand dollars, or by both such fine and imprisonment.

The text of Section 2 from above is difficult to interpret but it may actually prohibit social gambling and home poker games, but the law is unclear on this matter.

Responsible Gambling in Massachusetts

Massachusetts sports betting and gambling laws .

Licensed Massachusetts betting sites must contribute significant sums to responsible gambling efforts, provide tools for customers to set spending limits, honor self-exclusion requests, and advertise responsibly.

In addition, sports bettors and gamblers with concerns or questions can leverage the following for information and assistance.

• : Call 1-800-327-5050; text GAMB to 800327
• : Visit for information, responsible gambling tools, and help resources
• : Visit for a list of professional counseling services for problem gambling
• : Visit for information, helplines, treatment providers, and local self-help groups like Gamblers Anonymous

Massachusetts Sports Betting and Gambling Self-Exclusion

The Massachusetts Voluntary Self-Exclusion Program (VSE) allows anyone to restrict themselves from participating in gambling or sports betting for one year, three years, five years, or a lifetime.

The VSE provides three self-exclusion options:

• Massachusetts Gambling Self-Exclusion: Individuals may not play casino games anywhere in the state and may not enter the gambling area of any casino
• Massachusetts Sports Betting Self-Exclusion: Individuals may not visit retail sportsbooks, enter the sports betting area of any casino, or use licensed sports betting websites and apps
• Self-Exclude from Both: Individuals are restricted from all Massachusetts gambling, sports betting, and casinos

There are multiple ways to enroll in either or both programs:

• Phone: Call 1-800-426-1234
• Online: Visit the and start a live chat or contact the MGC to schedule a video call
• In-Person Meeting: Call the MGC at 617-533-9737 or e-mail [email protected] to schedule an appointment
• Enroll at a Casino: Visit a GameSense Info Center at Plainridge Park Casino, MGM Springfield, or Encore Boston Harbor
• Enroll at the MGC Headquarters: Visit the MGC in person at its Boston headquarters
• Other Locations: See the MGC self-exclusion website for a list of designated agents who can complete self-exclusion requests throughout the state

Important Massachusetts self-exclusion points:

• Self-exclusion periods can always be increased but never decreased
• Individuals can only select lifetime self-exclusion after completing a previous term or at least six months of a current term
• After the self-exclusion period ends, bettors remain permanently excluded until they complete a reinstatement session with a trained professional and receive the Gaming Commission’s approval
• Massachusetts sports betting operators and casinos have the right to permanently exclude anyone who joins the VSE, regardless of whether they complete a reinstatement session
• Some Massachusetts sportsbooks and casinos may choose to extend self-exclusion requests to all other forms of gambling they offer in Massachusetts or all properties they own worldwide
• Anyone in the casino gambling VSE who enters a casino will be escorted from the property and forfeit any winnings, chips, tokens, and other prizes

Massachusetts Sports Betting FAQ