Massachusetts Betting Sites: Legal Situation and Future Plans
If you’re interested in getting involved in sports betting in Massachusetts, the wait could be shorter than you might expect. While the state does not offer any current legal sports betting option, thankfully there are plenty of alternative betting options in the state which we will explore here. We’ll also show you a guide to what legal Massachusetts sports betting will look like.
Players who are eager to get involved in sports betting and other forms of betting in Massachusetts will find everything you need to know about these options in the state on this page. We’ll also provide insight into the best betting sites Massachusetts will have to offer, a guide to nearby states with legal and licensed sports betting, and much more.
Legal Betting Options for Massachusetts Players
Though there are no legal Massachusetts online sports betting options or Massachusetts betting sites, there are plenty of other legal gambling options available in the state. These include racetrack betting options, casino gambling such as poker rooms and other table games, slots machines, state lotteries and many other niche casino varieties.
Daily Fantasy Betting in Massachusetts
While there aren’t currently any sports betting options which are legal in the state of Massachusetts, players will be pleased to know that you will find plenty of legal Daily Fantasy Sports betting options in Massachusetts. This makes Daily Fantasy Sports essentially the only form of legal sports betting in the state.
As you will have learned, there are no typical Massachusetts sports betting app options currently in the state, however there are several Daily Fantasy Sports betting app options available.
This means that players can place fun and highly customisable DFS bets with several of the biggest names in the industry, including the likes of FanDuel and DraftKings. The best betting sites Massachusetts has in the future may well come from these same operators.
Offshore Betting Sites — Don’t Get Scammed
The state of Massachusetts specifically does not allow any form of legalized sports betting currently. This means that although on an internet search you’re likely to find that there are numerous offshore betting sites available, players won’t be able to consider offshore betting sites safe or legal.
This is because these websites aren’t licensed for play in the state of Massachusetts. So while you’ll be able to access popular offshore gambling websites such as BetOnline, MyBookie and Bovada from within the state, you can’t consider these sites as legal. There are no guarantees of safety or fairness with offshore betting sites in Massachusetts, so be sure to exercise caution.
Land-based Casinos in Massachusetts
Though there is no real comparison between casino betting and sports bets, players who are eager to get their game on will find that there are plenty of casino gambling options in Massachusetts. Players in the state have access to several fantastic casino gambling options at their disposal.
At these casino gambling options in the state, players will be able to place bets on essentially all of the classic casino betting types. These include the likes of table games, poker and cards, and slots betting options, available at popular casinos such as the Encore Boston Harbor, so be sure to check out what’s available to you.
Racetrack Betting in Massachusetts
Another alternative option for players looking for exciting betting experiences is racetrack betting. Massachusetts is one of the many states in the USA which provides legal racetrack betting. This makes for a fantastic alternative for players looking to get in on the excitement, and there are plenty of racetrack betting options in Massachusetts.
In addition to legal and fully-regulated land-based horse race betting in the state of Massachusetts, players will also be able to bet online at horse racing Massachusetts sportsbook sites. This makes horse racing one of the only legal forms of online betting in the state, which is a very convenient option for those looking to place interstate horse racing bets.
The Nearest States to Massachusetts with Legal Sports Betting
In spite of the many alternative betting options available in the state of Massachusetts, some players may not be satisfied by the lack of Massachusetts online sports betting. If that’s you, you might want to consider visiting nearby states with legal sports betting options. Luckily for such players, there are plenty of great options.
So if you happen to be one of the Massachusetts sports betting enthusiasts who can’t wait for lawmakers and regulators to update the states’ position on these matters, buckle up and take the trip to any one of the following list of states near Massachusetts with legal sports betting.
Best Betting Sites in Massachusetts — Big Plans for the Future
Although there aren’t any legal sports betting options provided in the state of Massachusetts currently, it’s looking more and more likely that things are set to change. That is because Massachusetts lawmakers and progressives have been making moves to legalize gambling on sports in the state, including the introduction of Massachusetts betting sites.
So what might this look like for the state? Well, for one, players will expect that these sports betting websites will be fully regulated and licensed for play, which is something that takes lawmakers and regulators a while to establish. This is to ensure that players will receive fair payouts and assistance with any problem gambling issues.
In terms of the varieties of betting options players are likely to find on these sites, it’s fair to assume that this will encompass a variety of sports betting options similar to pre-existing legal betting sites in other states. So the betting options at the best betting sites Massachusetts are likely to include NFL, NBA, MLB and all major league betting types, in addition to local and possibly college teams.
Current Gambling Laws in Massachusetts
| Betting Type | Law |
|---|---|
| Sports Betting | Not Legal |
| Online Sports Betting | Not Legal |
| Land-based Casino | Legal |
| Online Casino | Not Legal |
| Poker | Legal |
| Racetrack Betting | Legal |
| Massachusetts Gambling Age | 21+, 18+ for Lotto, Bingo and Horse Races |
Massachusetts isn’t the most conservative state in terms of gambling laws, but like many other states, changes to its laws are somewhat slow moving. As such, there are several fully-legalized betting options in Massachusetts, which include the likes of casino betting, horse races, dog races state lottery and bingo.
As we’ve explained earlier, there are currently no Massachusetts betting sites which are legal, except for the small exception of online race track betting on horse races. Otherwise, there are no legal MA betting sites, however this is not for lack of trying. Some advocates are currently making great efforts to introduce legal sports betting, including online sports bets.
In the table above, we’ve provided a representation of the respective laws surrounding each relevant betting type in Massachusetts. You’ll find that there is no legal sports betting or online sports betting yet. There are plenty of legal land-based casino options, though there aren’t any online casino gambling options just yet.
Further in the state, players can place legal bets on poker in casinos and their respective card rooms. Players can even play poker legally at home games. There are plenty of racetrack betting options in the state of Massachusetts, in addition to bingo and lottery betting options for players in the state.
Gambling addiction can be a serious problem if left untreated. Free support and advice is available from several organizations such as Gamblers Anonymous and the National Council on Problem Gambling.
History of Sports Betting and Gambling in the State of Massachusetts
As is the case with many states, the laws surrounding gambling in Massachusetts have a long and interesting history. In the sections to come, we’ll go into greater detail about the most significant moments in Massachusetts gambling law, including the most relevant changes and indicators that the law may be updated to include Massachusetts sports betting in years to come.
Massachusetts introduced legal betting on horse and dog races in 1934, and opened its own racetrack Suffolk Downs in 1935. After having banned all lotteries in 1719, the state re-introduced legal lotteries in 1745. The state grosses around $57 million a year from charity gaming like bingo and raffles. Massachusetts allowed for casino resorts to open in 2011 The state also has several Indian casinos under development.
There have been several indicators that Massachusetts will introduce sports betting some time in the near future. The Senate recently passed a bill which would allow for sports betting in the state, including gambling websites in Massachusetts, however it specifically did not allow for collegiate sports.
Other conditions of the bill, which could be approved by August of 2022, include significant taxation rates on all sports gambling of 20% gross receipts in person and 35% online, and a ban on sports betting advertising in the midst of live sporting events. Conditions aside, this shows that there is a promising likelihood of future Massachusetts legal sports betting.
The Future of Online Sports Betting in Massachusetts
While it’s certainly anybody’s guess how Massachusetts sports gambling law will develop, there are a few things which are a guarantee. The Senate passed legislation on legal sports gambling in 2022, which is the biggest step towards legal sports betting the state has ever seen.
Though this is extremely promising news, there are no dates for legal sports betting established for the state just yet. That aside, it’s looking like options will become available in the state very soon.
Rest assured, we’ll tell you about the best betting sites Massachusetts has to offer as soon as they arrive. Until then, check out the legal sports betting states which feature sports gambling options.
Frequently Asked Questions
We’re confident that players will have all the information you need about sports betting laws in Massachusetts from reading this page. However, it’s very common for players to have lingering queries, which is why we’ve prepared the following answers to frequently asked questions about sports betting in Massachusetts.
⚖️ Are online gambling and online sports betting legal in Massachusetts ?
At the time of writing, there are no legal sports gambling options in Massachusetts. However, the state has made numerous pushes and seen many lawmakers make inroads towards the introduction of legal sports betting, and 2021 saw massive moves in this direction for the state. Visit our section on laws to learn more.
🛡️ What is the legal gambling age in Massachusetts?
As is the case with many states in the USA, the legal age for gambling Massachusetts varies depending on the variety of gaming at hand. There is no legal sports betting in Massachusetts at the time of writing, however players over 18 can bet on the lottery in the state, and players above 21 can bet on casino and DFS games in Massachusetts. Follow the link provided to learn more about gambling laws in Massachusetts.
🚨 Is playing at offshore casinos legal?
When it comes the legality of any online betting option, the central concern should always be whether or not the site is licensed. In the case of sites like MyBookie and Bovada, these are offshore gambling sites, and offshore sites aren’t specifically licensed for Massachusetts betting. We suggest checking out our list of licensed and legal sites instead.
🔎 Can I play at a Massachusetts online sportsbook if I am not in the state?
You cannot bet at an out of state casino from Massachusetts. However, you can travel to neighbouring states with friendlier gambling laws and place bets on your favorite sports from there. If you're planning a trip to a different state, don't miss out! Our list of the closest states that allow online sports betting might be helpful