Massachusetts sports betting: What’s legal, where to bet, and how to get started
Massachusetts sports betting became legal on August 10, 2022, when then-Governor Charlie Baker signed House Bill 5164 into law.
From there, the rollout happened in two big steps:
- Retail (in-person) sports betting launched at the state’s three casinos on January 31, 2023.
- Online/mobile sports betting went live on March 10, 2023.
If you live in Massachusetts (or you’re visiting and want to place a wager), here’s the updated, skimmable guide to betting legally in the Bay State.
Is sports betting legal in Massachusetts?
Yes. Sports betting is legal in Massachusetts, and it’s regulated by the Massachusetts Gaming Commission (MGC).
Important: Only MGC-licensed operators are allowed to accept sports wagers in Massachusetts—look for the MGC’s official seal on legal platforms.
Requirements to bet in Massachusetts
To place a legal sports bet in Massachusetts, you must:
- Be at least 21 years old.
- Verify your identity when creating an account (age/identity checks are required).
- Be physically located in Massachusetts to place mobile/online wagers.
Online sportsbooks available in Massachusetts (licensed)
As of the MGC’s current licensee list, these are the licensed online/mobile sports wagering operators in Massachusetts:
- DraftKings
- FanDuel
- BetMGM
- Caesars Sportsbook
- Fanatics Sportsbook (Fanatics Betting & Gaming)
- ESPN BET (Penn Sports Interactive)
- Bally Bet
Note: the MGC also states Betr and WynnBet were previously licensed (temporarily) but did not renew after early 2024.
How to sign up and place a bet in Massachusetts
Getting started is straightforward:
Step 1: Choose a licensed sportsbook
Pick one of the MGC-licensed operators listed above.
Step 2: Create your account and verify your info
Expect to provide information needed to confirm your identity/age (standard for regulated sportsbooks).
You’ll also need to pass a location check (because online wagers can only be placed while you’re in Massachusetts).
Step 3: Deposit funds (know this key rule)
Most books offer multiple deposit methods (bank transfer, debit, PayPal/Venmo options, etc., depending on the operator).
Credit cards are not allowed for sports wagers in Massachusetts, and operators must prohibit credit-card use directly or indirectly.
Step 4: Place your bet
Once your account is verified and funded:
- Choose a sport/league
- Tap the odds/market you want
- Enter your stake
- Review your bet slip and submit
What you can bet on in Massachusetts
Massachusetts sportsbooks can only offer events and wager types approved by the MGC (via regulations and the state wagering catalog).
In general, you’ll commonly see:
- Major pro leagues and events (NFL, NBA, MLB, NHL, UFC, golf, motorsports, and more), as approved by the MGC catalog.
- College lines/totals/futures (with important restrictions—see below).
- Draft wagering (for approved league drafts).
- Awards and special approved events (only if approved).
- Esports only when properly sanctioned/approved under MGC rules.
What you can’t bet on in Massachusetts (key restrictions)
Massachusetts has several clear limits bettors should know:
- College player props / any wager dependent on an individual college athlete’s performance (including in-game/in-play player performance markets).
- Any college team located in Massachusetts, unless the team is in a tournament.
- High school or youth sports.
- Horse or greyhound races through sports wagering operators (horse racing is regulated separately from sports wagering).
- Injuries, penalties, player discipline, or replay review markets.
- Certain judge-scored Olympics and other athletics-style events where the outcome is primarily based on judges’ evaluation (as outlined by the MGC).
- Betting online while outside Massachusetts (mobile wagers must be placed while you’re physically in the Commonwealth).
Popular Massachusetts teams people bet on
A lot of local action tends to revolve around:
- New England Patriots (NFL)
- Boston Celtics (NBA)
- Boston Red Sox (MLB)
- Boston Bruins (NHL)
- New England Revolution (MLS)
- Boston College, Boston University, UMass, Northeastern, Harvard, Holy Cross (college—subject to Massachusetts college restrictions)
Responsible gambling resources in Massachusetts
If you or someone you know may be dealing with problem gambling, help is available:
- MA Problem Gambling Helpline: call or text “GAMB” to 800-327-5050
- National Problem Gambling Helpline: 1-800-MY-RESET, text 800GAM
- Voluntary Self-Exclusion (VSE) program (Massachusetts): statewide self-exclusion for casino gambling, sports wagering, or both