Is Sports Betting Legal In Massachusetts?

Sports betting continues to grow across America. Retail and in-person sports betting is now legal in 36 states (and fully operational in 33 states), and online and mobile sports betting is legal in 26 states (and fully operational in 23 states).

Sports betting is legal in Massachusetts!

Sports betting in Massachusetts officially became legal on January 31, 2023. Both retail (in-person) and online wagering is now allowed under Bill 5164, which is also known as the Massachusetts Sports Wagering Act.

House Speaker Ron Mariano initially tweeted that an agreement had been reached in the Senate on August 1, 2022. The Senate voted 36-4 to accept “legislation that will legalize wagering on professional and collegiate sports in Massachusetts”.

Governor Charlie Baker enacted Bill 5164 into law on August 10, 2022, and the Massachusetts Gaming Commission (MGC) became the regulator of the sports wagering industry in the Commonwealth.

When will legal sports betting in Massachusetts begin?

In-person wagering has been fully operational in the state since January 31, 2023, and mobile betting in Massachusetts will begin on March 10, 2023. The mobile betting start date will coincide with one of the largest betting events of the year in March Madness, which will begin four days later on March 14, 2023.

Where can I make in-person bets in Massachusetts?

While online betting in Massachusetts won’t begin until March 10, 2023, in-person betting became legal in Massachusetts on January 31, 2023. There are currently three approved Massachusetts retail casinos and sportsbooks.

MGM Springfield: One MGM Way, Springfield, MA 01103

MGM Springfield's mobile betting partner is BetMGM, and the BetMGM mobile betting app will launch in Massachusetts when online sports betting goes live in the state on March 10, 2023.

They began taking bets on January 31, 2023, and a total of $57,235.80 in sports bets was placed at BetMGM Massachusetts on opening day.

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Encore Boston Harbor: 1 Broadway, Everett, MA 02149

With two mobile partnerships allowed under Encore's Category 1 sports betting license, their mobile betting partners are WynnBET and Caesars. Caesars, therefore, has a Category 3 tethered online license to Encore and is able to operate mobile betting in the state as a result of this partnership.

Encore Boston started taking bets on January 31, 2023, and a total of $370,881.75 in sports bets was placed on opening day.

Plainridge Park Casino: 301 Washington St, Plainville, MA 02762

Plainridge Park's mobile betting partners are Fanatics and Barstool Sports, and they will use Penn Sports Interactive (Barstool) and Fanatics Sportsbook as their online platforms.

Both Barstool Sportsbook and Fanatics have tethered Category 3 licenses with Plainridge Park, though commissioners placed conditions on the Barstool license based on concerns over the Barstool brand and founder Dave Portnoy.

Plainridge Park started taking bets on January 31, 2023, and a total of $82,235.80 in sports bets was placed on opening day.

Future retail sites: Raynham Park Simulcast Center (Sportsbook): 1958 Broadway, Raynham, MA 02767

The MGC has received a Category 2 application from Raynham Park for an on-site sportsbook, which is set to be operated by Caesars.

Raynham Park is building a $28 million simulcasting and sportsbook facility. The facility will be 60,000 square feet and include a 38,000-square-foot sportsbook.

Initially, Raynham Park had chosen Bet365 as its partner, but after Bet365 dropped its bid for a license in the state, they partnered with Caesars instead. Caesars will now operate the retail book at Raynham Park once approved but will still operate their mobile betting through Encore.

People line up in front of Barstool Sportsbook within Hollywood Casino at Kansas Speedway before the official start of legal sports betting on Sept. 1, 2022. Credit: © Evert Nelson/The Capital-Journal / USA TODAY NETWORK

When will online and mobile sports betting launch in Massachusetts?

Online sports betting will launch on March 10, 2023 in Massachusetts, and the MGC has proposed a 10 a.m. ET start for online wagering to go live. This date was chosen because of its relative proximity to March Madness, which begins four days later on March 14, 2023.

As March Madness is one of the largest gambling events of the year, with over 47 million Americans having placed a bet during the tournament in 2021, opening online sports betting four days prior will give the MGC ample time to deal with any potential issues that arise.

What sports betting apps will be available in Massachusetts?

When online sports betting launches in Massachusetts, there will be a total of seven operators in the state. BetMGM, WynnBET, Caesars, and Barstool Sportsbook have all been approved for tethered Category 3 licenses given their affiliation with retail casinos and sportsbooks.

The other three, DraftKings, FanDuel, and Betr, have been approved for untethered Category 3 sports wagering operator licenses, which gives them the ability to operate mobile betting apps in the state without being affiliated with or attached to a retail casino or sportsbook.

Three additional operators, Fanatics, Bally Bet, and Betway, have also been given untethered Category 3 licenses. However, Fanatics and Bally Bet told the council that they do not plan to be operational until at least May of 2023, and Betway has pushed its start date back to 2024.

One surprising move during this process has been the withdrawal of PointsBet. They were approved for a Category 3 untethered license but decided not to pursue operations in Massachusetts, citing a desire to “focus on their 14 live states" and "how best to optimize those markets”.

Scheduled launches of mobile and online sports betting apps in Massachusetts

March 10, 2023: BetMGM, DraftKings, FanDuel, Caesars, WynnBET, Barstool Sportsbook, and Betr

May of 2023: Fanatics Sportsbook and Bally Bet

2024: Betway

Everything you need to know about sports betting in Massachusetts

In-person sports betting in Massachusetts launched on January 31, 2023, and online sports betting is set to commence four days prior to March Madness at 10 a.m. ET on March 10, 2023.

There will be seven mobile sports betting apps available to Massachusetts residents on the date of commencement, and three additional companies have gained licenses to operate in the state but won’t become operational until May of 2023 or later.

Review of sports betting apps available in Massachusetts

The seven mobile sportsbooks that will be operational beginning on March 10, 2023 are listed below along with highlights on some of the best features of each app as well as information regarding usability.

BetMGM Sportsbook

Players who use BetMGM’s mobile app can also place bets at MGM Springfield. MGM Springfield is one of three in-person retail sportsbooks that can legally operate in the state and is located an hour or two outside of Boston.

BetMGM has quickly become one of the leaders in the online betting industry. They have a very easy-to-use mobile app with plenty of features that make wagering simple and intuitive. The “edit my bet” tool allows sports bettors some flexibility to edit wagers even after having placed them and is a key feature of their current product that sets them apart from other apps.

• App store ratings: 4.8 (iOS) and 4.6 (Android)
• Massachusetts online launch date: March 10, 2023
• Where BetMGM operates: BetMGM has a presence in 20 states (AZ, CO, DC, IL, IN, IA, KS, LA, MD, MI, MS, NV, NJ, NY, OH, PA, TN, VA, WV, and WY) and is scheduled to go live in Massachusetts on March 10, 2023.

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DraftKings Sportsbook

DraftKings is another leader in the mobile betting industry. The company operates out of Boston and was a pioneer in daily fantasy sports (DFS) before expanding into sports betting. The DraftKings app is among the sleekest for sports bettors and was the first to offer Americans a “cash out option", which allows bettors to cash out of their bet for a certain value even after the event being wagered on has begun.

DraftKings Sportsbook also has a “pools” offerings available through their app and online sportsbook, which allows bettors to partake in larger, tournament-style events with specific prize pools. In pools, bettors compete against other players in a series of question-based bets attached to a particular sporting event.

• App store ratings: 4.8 (iOS) and 4.7 (Android)
• Massachusetts online launch date: March 10, 2023
• Where DraftKings operates: DraftKings has a presence in 21 states (AR, CO, CT, IL, IN, IA, KS, LA, MD, MI, NH, NJ, NY, OH, OR, PA, TN, VA, WA, WV, WY and is scheduled to go live in Massachusetts on March 10, 2023.

Plus, what other sportsbook allows you to bet on a heavy moneyline favorite and get +3000 odds? With the following welcome offer from DraftKings, you can.

FanDuel Sportsbook

FanDuel is operated by Flutter Entertainment, which is a UK-based group formerly known as Paddy Power Betfair plc. FanDuel was once a leader in the DFS space but has fallen off somewhat in that regard.

They offer a modern mobile app with a wide range of betting options, including same-game parlays (SGPs) and a SGP+ feature, which essentially allows users to parlay one SGP with another SGP for a potentially massive payout.

The FanDuel app likely ranks behind DraftKings and BetMGM in terms of its overall usability and reliability, but it does have solid wager offerings and referral programs. FanDuel also currently ranks as America’s most popular sportsbook with a 42% market share.

• App store ratings: 4.8 (iOS) and 4.7 (Android)
• Massachusetts online launch date: March 10, 2023
• Where FanDuel operates: FanDuel has a presence in presence in 19 states (AZ, CO, CT, DC, IL, IN, IA, KS, LA, MD, MI, NJ, NY, OH, PA, TN, VA, WV, and WY) and is scheduled to go live in Massachusetts on March 10, 2023.

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Caesars

Caesars Sportsbook is synonymous with betting and the gambling industry, and the company owns and operates the World Series of Poker (WSOP), one of the largest in-person gambling events each year. Like the other big players, the Caesars sports betting app has a solid design. They could improve their selection of player and game props, but the app uses a white background that makes it sleek to look at and very easy to navigate.

• App store ratings: 4.6 (iOS) and 4.5 (Android)
• Massachusetts online launch date: March 10, 2023
• Where Caesars operates: Caesars has a presence in 19 states (WA, WV, NV, AZ, TN, NY, NC, VA, CO, MD, MI, LA, OH, IA, IN, and IL) and is scheduled to go live in Massachusetts on March 10, 2023.

Plus, Caesars makes you feel like the guest of honor when you walk in the door, offering to cover your first bet (of up to $1,250) for you. Simply follow the offer below and you won't have to worry about the bet losing.

WynnBET

• App store ratings: 4.6 (iOS) and 4.5 (Android)
• Massachusetts online launch date: March 10, 2023
• Where WynnBET operates: WynnBET has a presence in nine states (AZ, LA, CO, MI, IN, NJ, NY, TN, and VA) and is scheduled to go live in Massachusetts on March 10, 2023.

Penn Entertainment (Barstool Sportsbook)

• App store ratings: 4.7 (iOS) and 3.1 (Android)
• Massachusetts online launch date: March 10, 2023
• Where Barstool Sportsbook operates: Barstool has a presence in 13 states (Barstool has a presence in 14 states (AZ, CO, IL, IN, IA, KS, LA, MI, NJ, OH, PA, TN, VA, and WV) and is scheduled to go live in Massachusetts on March 10, 2023.

Betr

• App store ratings: 3.4 (iOS) and 3.6 (Android)
• Massachusetts online launch date: March 10, 2023
• Where Betr operates: At this time, Betr only has a presence in the state of Ohio but is scheduled to go live in Massachusetts on March 10, 2023.

Editors Note: As of March 8, 2023, Betr will no longer launch in Massachusetts on March 10th, per MGC Chair Cathy Judd-Stein. Betr is still expected to launch in Massachusetts, but there is no definite timetable.

Bally Bet

• App store ratings: 1.9 (iOS) and 3.3 (Android)
• Anticipated Massachusetts online launch date: May of 2023
• Where Bally Bet operates: Bally Bet has a presence in five states (AZ, CO, IN, IA, and VA) and is scheduled to go live in Massachusetts in May of 2023.

Fanatics

• App store ratings: 4.8 (iOS) and 4.7 (Android)
• Anticipated Massachusetts online launch date: May of 2023
• Where Fanatics operates: At this time, Fanatics only has a presence in the state of Maryland but is scheduled to go live in Massachusetts in May of 2023.

Betway

• App store ratings: 4.7 (iOS) and 4.3 (Android)
• Anticipated Massachusetts Sports Betting launch date: sometime in 2024
• Where Betway operates: Betway has a presence in eight states (AZ, CO, IN, IA, NJ, OH, PA, and VA) and is scheduled to go live in Massachusetts sometime in 2024.

May 21, 2022; Washington, District of Columbia, USA; Toronto FC players and D.C. United players walk onto the pitch from the tunnel prior to their game at Audi Field. Mandatory Credit: Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports

Who can bet on sports in Massachusetts?

Bettors must be 21 years or older and be physically inside of Massachusetts state lines at the time the wager is placed. However, bettors do not need to be residents of Massachusetts to place sports bets.

The physical location boundaries are expected to be monitored by geolocation technology that is very similar to what other states currently use. Mobile devices and computers must have software that is able to verify the physical location of the bettor in order to place sports bets online.

Other restrictions 

Additionally, Bill H.3977 allows bettors to self-ban themselves by placing their names on a self-exclusion list. This self-exclusion list exists as a way for residents who suffer from a gambling addiction to protect themselves.

Massachusetts sports betting news and updates

• March 8, 2023 - MGC Chair Cathy Judd-Stein revealed on the MGC meeting on Thursday, March 8, that Betr will not be launching in Massachusetts on March 10, 2023.
• March 2, 2023 - The MGC voted to allow CPA deals between sports betting operators and third-party marketing affiliates as well as waivers for revenue-sharing deals through April 14, 2023. New regulations will be added until then, and operators will have to abide by them beginning on April 14, 2023.
• February 28, 2023 - The MGC approved a temporary sports betting license for Betway. Betway was given a one-year wagering license in a 5-0 unanimous vote and became the 10th online operator to receive a license. However, Betway stated that it does not plan to be operational in Massachusetts until 2024.
• February 23, 2023 - PointsBet notified the MGC that it is pulling its online sports betting application, citing the desire to “focus on their 14 live states”.  PointsBet does not currently plan to release an app even once the state launches legal online sports betting on March 10, 2023.
• February 23, 2023 - The MGC also announced that Bally Bet Sportsbook will not launch in Massachusetts until May of 2023 and that Betway does not intend to go live in the state until 2024.
• February 22, 2023 - Caesars announced a “Get $100 in Bonus Bets” Massachusetts pre-registration offer.
• February 19, 2023 - The MGC's executive director, Karen Wells, stated that sports bets in Massachusetts can be placed up to three miles outside of the Bay State's coast at legalized sportsbooks.
• February 17, 2023 - Fanatics Sportsbook notified the MGC that it won’t be ready to launch on March 10, 2023 when mobile betting goes live. Fanatics stated that May of 2023 will be its target for a mobile sports betting launch in Massachusetts.
• February 17, 2023 - FanDuel announced its Massachusetts pre-registration offer of $100 in bonus bets for new users.
• February 15, 2023 - The MGC reported that the three live retail casinos and sportsbooks, Plainridge Park Casino, MGM Springfield, and Encore Boston Harbor, generated approximately $96.9 million in gross gaming revenue in the month of January. As sports betting in the state went live on January 31, 2023, revenue for the month consisted of a single day.
• February 15, 2023 - The MGC reported $510,948 in sports betting handle on the first day of betting being launched. The state of Massachusetts benefited by taking in $9,861 in tax revenue in just one day on January 31, 2023.
• February 15, 2023 - Encore Boston Harbor reported a $75,230 total loss from sports wagering on the first day of sports betting in Massachusetts.
• February 15, 2023 - The MGC stated that $65,706 in gross sports wagering revenue was generated on the first day of betting, $12,152 from MGM and $53,554 from Plainridge Park.
• February 14, 2023 - The MGC revealed that all three of the retail casinos and sportsbooks currently operating in the state faced discipline for allowing unauthorized bets on Harvard regular-season college basketball games.
• February 9, 2023 - The MGC proposed a 10 a.m. ET start time on March 10, 2023 to launch mobile sports betting.
• February 8, 2023 - The MGC announced that Encore Boston Harbor (WynnBET) and Plainridge Park Casino (Barstool Sportsbook) have violated the state’s newly-enacted betting laws, as they both accepted wagers on in-state college sports teams. The news dropped only eight days after sports betting was launched in three state casinos.
• January 31, 2023 - In-person sports betting in Massachusetts launched at 10:00 a.m. ET at the three approved locations, Encore Boston Harbor, MGM in Springfield, and Plainridge Park in Plainville.
• January 25, 2023 - The MGC approved the proposed Massachusetts Sports Betting Catalog. This catalog consisted of an initial wagering menu describing what customers are allowed to bet on upon the launch of in-person sports betting on January 31, 2023.  Betting on the largest professional sports leagues and largest college sporting events was stated to be allowed. However, it was outlined that “betting on in-state college sports will not be allowed unless the team is participating in a postseason tournament”. The MGC has disallowed betting on events like the Olympics and other non-mainstream sports such as cornhole and Esports. The catalog has allowed betting in five unique markets: major league drafts (NFL Draft, NHL Draft, etc.), major league award shows (MVP and other awards betting), the Oscars (best picture, best actor, etc.), the Emmys, and Nathan's Hot Dog Eating Contest.
• January 25, 2023 - Privately-owned European sportsbook Bet365 announced that they will not be moving forward with plans to launch in the Massachusetts market. They retracted their Category 3 untethered sports betting license in the state and remain operational in just three states in the United States, New Jersey, Colorado, and Ohio. Bet365 has a global brand and has spent far less on marketing in the United States than their American competitors since the legalization of sports betting.
• January 23, 2023 - Raynham Park Simulcast and Racetrack applied for a Category 2 license to accept in-person sports bets. Raynham Park would be a “Category 2” location, a designation that would allow them to offer sports betting on the premises and through one digital platform.
• January 23, 2023 - Caesars Entertainment, Inc. announced plans to offer in-person sports betting through a partnership with Raynham Park racetrack. The partnership marked Caesars’s first in-person foray into the Bay State and included plans for the eventual opening of a 30,000-square-foot Caesars Sportsbook retail location.
• January 19, 2023 - The MGC voted to award temporary untethered Category 3 sports betting licenses to DraftKings, FanDuel, PointsBet, Bally Bet, Betr Holdings, and Betway. DraftKings, FanDuel, PointsBet, Bally Bet, and Betway all received unanimous approval. Betr was approved by a 4-1 vote.
• January 13, 2023 - The MGC announced the appointment of Bruce Band as their Director of Sports Wagering. Band had been a longtime gaming industry professional and previously served as Assistant Director of Investigations & Enforcement Bureau.
• December 13, 2022 - The MGC unanimously approved WynnBET for a Category 3 mobile sports betting license, the first to be awarded in the state.
• November  15, 2022 - Caesars announced that it had reached a “preliminary agreement” with Encore Boston. Under the agreement, Encore would hand off one of its mobile sports betting licenses to Caesars Interactive Entertainment, thereby allowing Caesars to operate a mobile betting app in the state.
• August 10, 2022 - Massachusetts sports betting was signed into law by Governor Charlie Baker.

Massachusetts sports betting tax rate and background

Legal sports betting could add an estimated $60 million in annual tax revenue for Massachusetts, as Bill H.5164 set the tax rate on companies operating in the state at 15% on in-person sports betting and at 20% on mobile sports betting. The state will also be collecting close to $80 million in licensing fees, and operators will be required to renew these licenses every five years.

The annual budget for Massachusetts is over $50 billion, so taxes on the sports betting industry will still make up only a small portion of the state’s revenue. Still, tax revenue from legal sports betting should continue to grow as regulated betting gets rolled out and reduces the public’s exposure to illegal bookmakers. The current black market in sports betting is estimated to take up to $1.7 trillion in bets every year.

A total of $9,861 in tax revenue was taken in by the state on January 31, 2023 alone on the first day of legal in-person sports betting in Massachusetts.

What sports can I bet on in Massachusetts?

There were no surprises when the Massachusetts betting catalog was introduced by the MGC. All of the major professional North American sporting leagues are available to bet on in Massachusetts. The NFL, MLB, NBA, NHL, MMA, MLS Soccer, and all major college sporting events will all be available on mobile betting apps when online sports betting goes live on March 10, 2023.

One major note is that betting on in-state college teams (e.g. Harvard and Boston College) will be prohibited unless the team is participating in a postseason tournament (e.g. March Madness) that includes four or more teams.

Here’s a non-exhaustive list of most of the major sporting leagues and events that will be available for sports bettors:

• Australian Football League
• Badminton World Federation events 
• Major League Baseball
• NCAA baseball
• PGA Tour golf
• National Hockey League
• World Baseball Classic
• Triple-A minor league baseball
• Chinese, Japanese, and Korean baseball
• National Basketball Association
• Women's National Basketball Association
• NCAA basketball
• EuroLeague basketball
• Professional Bowlers Association
• Professional Bull Riders
• Boxing
• Cricket
• Formula 1 racing
• Snooker
• Soccer
• Tennis
• League drafts
• Awards
• American Ultimate Disc League
• National Football League
• NCAA Football
• Canadian Football League
• College and professional lacrosse
• Ultimate Fighting Championship
• NASCAR

Feb 25, 2023; Charlotte, North Carolina, USA; New England Revolution forward Justin Rennicks (12) with the ball as Charlotte FC defender Joseph Mora (28) defends in the second half at Bank of America Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Bob Donnan-USA TODAY Sports

What sports can I NOT bet on in Massachusetts?

The MGC did raise certain issues with specific sports and events, so not every single sporting event or activity was approved by the state. However, the current bans on these events could be revisited in the future at some point.

The reasons for banning certain events and approving others tended to hinge on factors such as how the sports were decided and whether or not the event/sport had a history of bad behavior or scandals.

Chess and cornhole were singled out for recent cheating scandals, and the Olympics did not receive initial approval because there are several Olympic events that are decided by judges scoring and are therefore potentially ripe for fraud.

Current sports and activities banned by the MGC:

• Betting on in-state college sports unless the team is participating in a postseason tournament (e.g. March Madness)
• Esports and all virtual sporting events
• Sports or events where Russian governing bodies and leagues are the primary operators
• Jai alai
• Chess
• Cornhole
• The Olympics (both Summer and Winter)

What types of bets can you make in Massachusetts?

The MGC approved a variety of wagers for sports bettors in the state. Massachusetts bettors can place the following kinds of bets on all leagues:

• Single-game bets,
• teasers & pleasers
• parlays
• over/under or total bets
• moneyline bets
• pools
•  In-game or live in-play bets
• Prop bets
• straight bets
• point spreads
• round-robin bets
• three-way bets
• player props 
• game props 
• team props 
• futures
• outrights, 

Live betting will also allow for next-occurrence types of wagers.

Popular types of sports bets

With mobile betting apps in heated competition for customers, bettors in Massachusetts will have access to a massive number of betting markets for nearly every single sporting event. Not only will bettors in Massachusetts be able to wager on nearly any sporting event or competition, but they’ll also be able to make a variety of different wagers as well.

The most popular bets are moneyline bets, against-the-spread bets, and over/under bets. These three types of bets are just the tip of the iceberg when it comes to the types of online wagers that will be available in Massachusetts, and residents will have access to far more than just those three options.

Here’s a breakdown of some of the most popular bets to look for when online sports betting goes live in Massachusetts on March 10, 2023.

Moneyline

A moneyline bet is one of the most simple wagers a bettor can make. In a moneyline bet, you are simply wagering on the outcome of the game. If the Patriots are playing the Bills, and you think that the Patriots will win, you would simply choose the Patriots. As long as the Patriots win outright, bettors who placed a Patriots moneyline wager would win.

However, moneyline bets become more complex when you begin to consider the odds for each side. As a bettor, you should always be looking for the best possible payout. You’ll want whatever side you choose to have odds with strong payout potential compared to the team’s actual chance of winning the game.

Line shopping for the best value available is an important factor to maximizing profitability, and that rule applies to moneyline bets, against-the-spread bets, and essentially any type of bet.

Spread

In an against-the-spread bet, you are not betting on a team to win the game but rather for the team to cover a point spread.

The margin of victory in an against-the-spread bet is the only thing that matters. The spread assigned to each team in a game corresponds to the projected margin of victory.

Example:  Patriots +7.0 / Bills -7.0

In the above example, the Patriots are projected underdogs and have been “given points", indicated by the plus sign (e.g. +7.0 points). To cover the point spread, the Patriots would need to either win the game outright or lose by fewer than 7.0 points. For example, even if the Patriots were to lose with a final score of 24-20, bettors who placed a Patriots +7.0 wager would win.

In the same example, the Bills are projected favorites and must win by a certain margin in order to cover the spread (e.g. -7.0 points). To cover, the Bills would need to win the game by more than 7.0 points. For example, even if the Bills were to win the game but only with a final score of 24-20, bettors who placed a Bills -7.0 wager would lose.

In the above example, if the game were to end with a Bills win with a 27-20 final score, neither a Patriots +7.0 wager nor a Bills -7.0 wager would cash, as neither team would've covered the required point total. In that scenario, the bet would be labeled as a “push”, and the original bet amount would be refunded to bettors.

Futures

Futures are a type of bet that involves making a wager on an event or activity that takes place on a future date. Futures bets can be made on almost any kind of future sporting event, but the most popular event to make futures bets on remains the Super Bowl.

Any bet on a Super Bowl winner prior to the completion of the NFL conference championship games would be considered a futures bet. For the most part, futures bets can be made any time over the course of the season.

Massachusetts has approved wagering on major league sporting awards as well as betting on events like the NFL Draft and the Oscars. As such, bettors will be able to make futures bets such as who will win MVP, who will win Rookie of the Year, and who will be the first overall pick of the draft for each of the major sporting leagues.

Live or in-game betting

Mobile betting apps have made such a huge technological advancement over the last decade that they can now offer live, in-game wagering on almost any event that takes place within a live sporting event.

As the game progresses, betting apps will continue to adjust the odds for the moneyline, totals, and certain prop markets based on what's happening during the game. As the odds adjust, bettors can make in-game wagers on a variety of different game and player-based markets.

Props

A prop bet, or proposition bet, is a wager on an event that takes place inside of a game or sporting event. While a point spread or total points bet asks you a specific question about the end result of a contest, a prop bet asks you a question about a result that will take place inside the game or event that isn't necessarily tied directly to the final score. 

The most famous prop bet that is often credited for making prop bets more mainstream was from Super Bowl XX in 1986. Sportsbooks in Las Vegas allowed bettors to place a bet on whether or not William “The Refrigerator” Perry would score a touchdown in that game (spoiler: he did).

Other examples of popular prop bets today include first touchdown scorer bets, where bettors can wager on which player will score the first rushing or receiving touchdown in a given game, and player totals on passing, rushing, and receiving yards.

While prop bets are simplistic in how they work, there are many different types of prop bets offered by the sports betting industry, and the market for prop bets continues to grow. 

Parlays

Parlays are multi-leg bets that combine multiple wagers together. For a parlay wager to be paid out, every single outcome of each leg of the parlay must be correct. 

For example, if a parlay were to combine moneyline bets on the Patriots, Celtics, and Bruins, the bet would only be paid out if all three teams were to win their respective games. If any one of the teams were to lose, the parlay would immediately lose as well no matter the outcome of the other two games.

Parlays can involve many legs, and the more legs there are, the higher the potential payout would be. These are typically long shots to win, but parlays have become exceedingly popular due to the large potential winnings and relatively low investment needed to make the wagers.

Within the category of parlays are same-game parlays (SGPs), which is a parlay combining multiple wagers on outcomes within one game. For example, a SGP could be placed on Mac Jones to pass for over 200 yards and for Rhamondre Stevenson to score a rushing or receiving touchdown.

Both things would need to happen in order for this SGP to cash, but the potential payout would be higher since the odds are longer for both outcomes to occur compared to just one or the other.

Apr 9, 2019; Boston, MA, USA; Retired New England Patriots player Rob Gronkowski holds up a Lombardi Trophy before a game between the Boston Red Sox and the Toronto Blue Jays at Fenway Park. Mandatory Credit: Brian Fluharty-USA TODAY Sports

Massachusetts-based teams to bet on now that sports betting is legal

Massachusetts bettors have a variety of local sports teams to bet on now that sports betting is legal. All of the major North American sports leagues have been approved in the Massachusetts sports betting catalog.

However, bettors will not be allowed to wager on college teams located within the state of Massachusetts (e.g. Harvard), unless the team is participating in a large, post-season tournament (e.g. March Madness). Below is a list of the major Massachusetts-based professional teams.

New England Patriots

Sportsbook partner: DraftKings

Championships: Six (2002, 2004, 2005, 2015, 2017, 2019)

Current 2023-24 Super Bowl odds: +6000 (as of March 2, 2023)

The Patriots are one of the most recognizable brands in the NFL and have dominated the league for much of the 2000’s. Tom Brady’s departure from the team in 2020 sent shockwaves around the league, but the team has remained competitive of late with Bill Belichick still at the helm.

Boston Celtics

Sportsbook partner: DraftKings

Championships: 17 (1957, 1959, 1960, 1961, 1962, 1963, 1964, 1965, 1966, 1968, 1969, 1974, 1976, 1981, 1984, 1986, 2008)

Current 2023 NBA Championship odds: +280 (as of March 2, 2023)

The Celtics are one of the most historic franchises in the NBA. With 17 titles, they have the most NBA Championships in NBA history and have produced numerous star players such as Larry Bird, Bill Russell, and Bob Cousy. They currently have a stacked young team led by Jayson Tatum, and as of late February, they are the favorites to win the NBA Championship.

Boston Red Sox

Sportsbook partner: DraftKings

Championships: Nine (1903, 1912, 1915, 1916, 1918, 2004, 2007, 2013, 2018)

Current World Series odds: +6000 (as of March 2, 2023)

The Red Sox play out of historic Fenway Park, one of the most recognizable and historic stadiums in baseball. They have nine World Series titles, four of which have come over the past 20 years. 

Boston Bruins

Sportsbook partner: DraftKings

Championships: Six (1929, 1939, 1941, 1970, 1972, 2011)

Current Stanley Cup odds: +475 (as of March 2, 2023)

The Bruins are one of the original six NHL hockey teams. They have six titles, the most recent of which came back in 2011. The Bruins also made it to two Stanley Cup finals between 2012 and 2020 but ultimately lost. As of late February, they currently sit as the favorites to win the Stanley Cup.

New England Revolution

Championships: Zero

Current MLS Championship odds: +2200 (as of March 2, 2023)

The Revolution are an American professional soccer club based in the Greater Boston area that plays out of Gillette Stadium. They are one of the 10 charter clubs of the MLS and have competed in the league since its inaugural season, but the Revolution have yet to win the league championship.

Is daily fantasy sports (DFS) legal in Massachusetts?

Daily Fantasy Sports (DFS) became legal in Massachusetts in 2016. Given that Boston-based DraftKings was one of the pioneers and industry leaders in the DFS space, it was a natural progression for the state to legalize DFS. The legalization of DFS was also one of the first steps towards having fully legalized and regulated sports betting in Massachusetts.

DraftKings launched its DFS platform in 2012. The company began operating a mobile betting platform in 2018, first launching in the state of New Jersey. DraftKings has grown and currently employs over 3,400 people, making it one of the largest companies in the state. The company went public in 2020 and now trades on the Nasdaq under the ticker DKNG.

How will legalization of sports betting in Massachusetts impact the region and surrounding states?

The Massachusetts region should benefit greatly from the added tax revenue that legalized sports betting will provide. The tax rates in Massachusetts include a 15% tax on revenue from in-person operators and a 20% tax on revenue from mobile app sports betting.

The state plans to divide up the tax revenue to various areas, with 45% of the money going to the state’s General Fund, which is a pool of money that state lawmakers use toward the annual budget.

Given that Massachusetts has larger casinos than some of the surrounding states, legalized sports betting could also result in an uptick in tourists and visitors this year. While many states bordering Massachusetts have already rolled out legalized gambling, Vermont has yet to pass such an edict.

FAQs about sports betting in Massachusetts

Can you bet at MGM in Massachusetts?

Yes. MGM Springfield began taking live bets on January 31, 2023. MGM will also offer online betting in the state through their BetMGM app, which is set to go live on March 10, 2023.

Before the app goes live, you can guarantee yourself $200 in bonus bets without having to deposit. All you have to do is follow the below offer to claim your bonus!

Is Caesars sports betting legal in Massachusetts?

Yes. Caesars is one of 11 brands who received a Category 3 license to operate online betting in the state. The Caesars sports betting app is set to go live on March 10, 2023 when online betting will officially begin in Massachusetts.

Once live, Caesars is giving you a free pass to make any bet you want as your first bet, no matter how outlandish it may seem. If the bet doesn't win, you'll get your stake amount back in the form of free bets (up to $1,250). Simply follow the offer below for more.

Can I make a deposit with a credit card for online sports betting?

Yes. The banking options for most of the online and mobile sports betting apps in Massachusetts will include the use of most major credit cards (Visa, MasterCard, and Discover).

Is sports betting legal in Massachusetts?

Yes. As of January 31, 2023, bets can be placed in person at retail locations. Online betting apps are not yet available, but mobile betting in Massachusetts is slated to launch on March 10, 2023. There are currently three in-person casinos and sportsbooks open for taking wagers: MGM Springfield, Encore Boston Harbor, and Plainridge Park Casino.

Is DraftKings legal in Massachusetts?

DraftKings Sportsbook received a Category 3 untethered license to operate an online betting app in the state of Massachusetts. DraftKings will be one of seven available mobile betting apps when online betting goes live in Massachusetts on March 10, 2023.

While DraftKings will be one of seven available mobile betting apps, it's the only one offering +3000 odds on your first $5 moneyline bet, regardless of how heavy the favorite is. 

Sounds too good to be true? Seriously, follow the offer below and get $150 on a simple $5 moneyline bet if it wins.

Who regulates sports betting in Massachusetts?

The Massachusetts Gaming Commission (MGC) regulates sports betting in the state. In order to gain access to the Massachusetts market, operators must be approved for a license to operate from the MGC.

Do I have to be a resident of Massachusetts to bet on sportsbook apps there?

No. To place a bet in Massachusetts you only need to be of legal age (21+ years) and physically either inside the state lines or within three miles of the Massachusetts shoreline. Betting apps will use geolocation technology located on modern mobile devices to enforce this regulation.

What sportsbook bonuses are available in Massachusetts?

State-specific and site-specific bonuses will be released once online betting in Massachusetts begins. Both Caesars and FanDuel had already rolled out a pre-registration offer of $100 in bonus bets to entice new customers to sign up for their respective apps prior to mobile betting going live on March 10, 2023.