Massachusetts Online Betting Sites

Currently, Massachusetts online betting sites are not legal. However, a change could be on the horizon. Bills and discussions around legalized online sports betting gaining momentum in late 2021 and early 2022.

Sportsbooks will likely be the first Massachusetts online betting sites to launch. As a result, online casino games are unlikely to come with sports betting in the state. To date, lawmakers have had few in-depth discussions or developments have been made about online casino sites.

With the online betting landscape in the Bay State this year, we have an up-to-date overview on the situation below.

Best MA Sports Betting Sites in 2022
Caesars Sportsbook
$1,100 First Bet Insurance
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FanDuel Sportsbook
$1,000 Risk-Free First Bet
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Betrivers Sportsbook
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PointsBet Sportsbook
2 Risk Free Bets up to $2,000
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BetMGM Sportsbook
$1,000 Risk-Free 1st Bet
IL, LA, AZ, NJ, PA, MI, WV, IN, IA, TN, VA, CO

Can I bet on Sports in Massachusetts?

Sports betting in Massachusetts is not currently legal. But the state appears eager to bring sports betting options to Bay State residents in 2022. Previous attempts to legalize sports gambling have gained traction at a local level. Although, passing in the Senate has been a tougher issue.

Most recently, in July 2019, sports betting bill HB 3974 moved to the Senate following State Representatives’ overwhelming support for the bill. It did not progress, however, due to budgeting concerns.

Despite the setback, the signs are positive for sports bettors in Massachusetts. Sen. Eric Lesser even stated how bringing sports betting to the Bay State remained a priority for 2022. The MA legislative session runs from January to July 2021 and residents may have to wait for a confirmed decision. As a result, the earliest date when sportsbooks would launch would be late 2022.

Massachusetts online betting sites and sports gambling

Although Massachusetts online betting sites are not currently legal, players can access Daily Fantasy Sports platforms. This is perhaps unsurprising considering DFS giants DraftKings have headquarters in Boston. Bay State residents have been able to bet on DFS since 2016.

But, placing sports bets online is another matter. Massachusetts is a hotbed for sports fandom, so it seems strange that sports betting is illegal in the state. With global teams like the Boston Celtics, Red Sox, and the Bruins, there is hardcore support for sports in the state.

For now, though, players cannot access legal sportsbooks. Even more surprising is the fact that neighboring states, including, Connecticut, New York, New Hampshire, and Rhode Island have legalized mobile and online sports betting.

If sports betting does head online in Massachusetts, some of the big-name sportsbooks could take an interest. In particular, Boston-based DraftKings will be keeping an eye on developments. Likewise, WynnBet, who owns the Encore Boston Harbor casino, would already have connections to launch.

What horse racing is available in Massachusetts?

Betting on horse racing in Massachusetts was the first legal gambling activity in the state. Pari-mutuel betting was legalized in 1934. Legalized betting on horse racing was also allowed in the 1930s. However, in 2008, the last dog racing track in MA shut down and there are now no options for this form of wagering.

Despite a deep-rooted history of horse race betting in the Bay State, racing in the state has seen a share of ups and downs. However, today Plainridge Park Casino is the only venue to offer pari-mutuel wagering and live racing. Here, harness racing is on show between April and November. But the racetrack also has slot games and simulcast wagering year-round.

Raynham Park and Suffolk Downs also offer off-track betting options. The venues used to be racetracks before they were converted to casino-like establishments. Both offer simulcast wagering as well as some slot games.

Online Horse Betting Options in MA

Unsurprisingly, Plainridge Park does not provide online wagering options. As a result, there are no state-based online horse betting options in MA.

However, in recent years, several companies have started to take online horse betting from around the country. These sites, like DRFBets, TwinSpires, and XpressBet, means Massachusetts residents can bet from their homes or mobile devices. Such websites specialize in horse racing bets and markets. Each one provides an in-depth horse betting platform.

For now, these are the only online horse betting options in the state. Although, if online sports betting bills continue to make progress, this could change in the future. Many established US bookmakers offer horse racing options on their platforms.

Are Casinos legal in Massachusetts?

Massachusetts is not a state that is well-renowned for its in-person gambling options. In fact, up until only a few years ago, there was no legal casino gambling in the state. As a result, bettors in the state were mostly heading to neighboring Connecticut to wager on casino games.

But this has changed in recent years. In 2011, state lawmakers passed a bill to open casinos and one slot parlor. three casinos now operate in the state. MGM Springfield and Encore Boston Harbor are the only fully-fledged casinos. The other venue is the casino at Plainridge Racetrack.

Despite the limited options for MA residents, more casinos are in development. The state’s first tribal casino, the First Light Casino and Resort is still being built. Although, its open date is not available yet as the development is surrounded by legal issues.

At present, there are no plans in place to add to the three casinos and one slot parlor in MA.

When will online Casinos launch in Massachusetts?

Today, online casino games remain illegal in Massachusetts. Despite laws making land-based casinos legal, the Massachusetts government stopped short of making online casinos legal.

Any developments involving Massachusetts online betting sites are unlikely to involve casino games. This is due to the legalization of sports betting and online sportsbooks dominating the conversation. Due to this, online casinos will not be on the agenda for MA bettors.

For now, the only options available for residents in the Bay State are to visit a land-based casino. Alternatively, players can freely join social casinos. Here, players wager on casino games like poker, blackjack, and roulette for virtual coins rather than for real money.

The Massachusetts Lottery

Even though there are some limitations on gambling in Massachusetts, the lottery has been available for 50 years. In 1972, the Bay State became one of the first states in the US to legalize the lottery.

To date, the lottery is incredibly popular in Massachusetts. Bettors can access a variety of games. The likes of the Massachusetts live draw games, like Powerball and Megamillions award up to a billion dollars in some instances. In addition, the daily draw games and the instant scratch tickets are popular.

One of the other options for the lottery is the pull-tab games. These are available for purchase in bars around the state, which are much cheaper. But the games still give players a chance to win an instant prize.

Massachusetts Online Betting Sites FAQs

Is sports betting legal in Massachusetts?
No, sports betting is not currently legal in MA. Currently, the only sport-related gambling activity that is legal is Daily Fantasy Sports, which was legalized in 2016. Through DFS, players can pick virtual teams for football, basketball, baseball, and soccer. Participants then try to earn more points than their opponents for different prizes.
When will sports betting be legal in Massachusetts?
2022 seems a likely year for sports betting to launch in Massachusetts. Due to the ongoing positivity around legalized sports gambling, a bill may go through soon to bring sportsbooks to the state. Also, the success of sports betting in neighboring US states could play a part in pushing a bill through.
What is the best Massachusetts online betting site?
There is no best Massachusetts online betting site as they are not live in the state. When sportsbooks start to launch in the Bay State, we will review what each provider has to offer. Some bookmakers place more effort into odds and markets, while others focus on offers and rewards. To help with the decision when picking an MA sportsbook, check back for our well-researched bookmaker reviews.