Andrew O'Malley 12. November 2020 | UPDATED ON: 18. April 2022 There are different types of legal gambling in Massachusetts currently, but sports betting is not one of them. While there has been a push in recent times to change this, for now, sports bettors will have to rely on offshore sports betting in Massachusetts to fulfill their needs. This guide will look at the ins and outs of sports betting in Massachusetts, as well as the best online sportsbooks for your needs. Top 3 Online Bookmakers in Massachusetts, MA, USA If you are in the state of Massachusetts and looking to get involved with some sports wagering, then you have come to the right place. There are many great offshore sport gambling sites for you to check out. Here are three of the best ones we have come across through our extensive research: Slot Title Pay Back Key Features 1 50% first deposit bonus up to $250 Min. Deposit: $10Payout speed: 15 minutes50% first deposit bonus up to $250Play NowOur score: 50% first deposit bonus up to $250Read more2 $20 free bet Min. Deposit: $10Payout speed: 48 hours$20 free betPlay NowOur score: $20 free betRead more3 50% first deposit up to $1,000 Min. Deposit: $20Payout speed: 48 hours50% first deposit up to $1,000Play NowOur score: 50% first deposit up to $1,000Read more Is sports betting legal in Massachusetts? No Currently, there is no legal sports betting in Massachusetts. There have been a number of sports betting bills from Massachusetts lawmakers in the Senate and House to try to push through some form of sports betting legalization. While this has not yet come to fruition, it only looks like a matter of time before legislators can push through sports betting legislation with a House bill. A recent Economic Development Bill holds a lot of promise. In terms of illegality, there is no mention of online gambling in the state laws. While you can face prosecution if you are operating or accepting bets, people using the likes of online casinos and sportsbooks should not have much to worry about. There have been certain forms of gambling expansion in recent years in the Bay State. Commercial casinos have been legal now for a number of years, with the MGM Springfield Casino and Plainridge Park Casino currently being open. There are also tribal casino plans in the work in the near future in the state. There is also the Encore Boston Harbor Casino that is owned and operated by Wynn Resorts. The Massachusetts Gaming Commission is the regulator of the casino sector. Other forms of legal gambling Horse racing is also popular in Massachusetts, with pari-mutuel betting being available across the region at racetracks. There are racinos and video poker machines available at the Plainridge Racecourse. There are a lot of regulations in place on charitable gambling in Massachusetts. Only recognized non-profits can offer games of chance once the prizes don’t exceed $100. In terms of social gambling, there are not really any laws in this regard of note. Gov. Charlie Baker was one of the proponents for allowing daily fantasy sports (DFS) from the likes of Boston-based DraftKings and FanDuel, despite FanDuel being from New York. The state lottery is one of the biggest in the country and it has been around since 1971 in its current form. You can partake in multi-state offerings such as Powerball and Mega Millions. Our Recommended Online Sportsbook in Massachusetts Our Rating Score a $250 Welcome Sports Bonus The Best Lines, Props And Live Betting Accepts Wide Range Of Payment Methods Including Bitcoin Bet On Traditional Sports + Politics, Esports & Virtual Sports Claim Your Bonus Now Top 3 online sports betting sites that accept players from Massachusetts If you are a sports fan in the Commonwealth and you want to start placing bets on your favorite teams, you can do so by using an offshore sportsbook. These come in many different forms, so we have handpicked the best of the best for you: 1. Bovada - Fast withdrawals (50% first deposit bonus up to $250) Bovada covers all of the bases with its online sportsbook, having first launched almost 20 years ago. The user experience is always highly enjoyable, with a great selection of markets on offer. The withdrawal speeds are some of the fastest around and there is 24/7 customer support. Odds are competitive and betting limits are nicely varied. For new signups, there is a 50% first deposit bonus of up to $250 at play. Existing bettors will also get their hands on plenty of great promotions during the course of the year. Our Rating Great selection of US betting markets Competitive odds First deposit bonus up to $250 Fast withdrawals Mainly crypto payouts Claim Your Bonus 2. Everygame - Well-trusted sportsbook ($20 free bet) Everygame claims to be the oldest online sportsbook in the world today. It also released the first mobile betting offering, so innovation is in its blood. It has built up a loyal customer base over the years, with a great range of betting markets to check out, with the live betting section being a standout. Major US sports are well looked after, with all sorts of different prop bets on offer for each and every game. Withdrawals tend to be pretty fast and the odds are competitive. If you run into any issues, customer support is reachable around the clock. For people who are creating a new account with Everygame, there is a $20 free bet you can get. Our Rating Decent withdrawal speed Well-respected Large range of markets $20 free bet welcome offer Not the biggest welcome offer Claim Your Bonus 3. BetOnline - Great odds (50% first deposit bonus up to $1,000) BetOnline is one of the biggest offshore sportsbooks that you will come across. It has been operating since 2001, so it has managed to build up a strong reputation over the years. The large focus is on US professional sports betting, with a staggering selection of markets on offer. Some of the highlights include seasonal promotions when the likes of the NFL, NHL and MLB seasons roll around. Another great highlight of the betting offering is that you will always find great odds on BetOnline. Under previous management, there were some issues with withdrawals, but these have been resolved. For sports bettors, another great perk of this offering is that the odds for sporting events are always posted nice and early, so you can quickly get your bets placed rather than having to wait around for another few days. For those people who want to sign up for an account with BetOnline, there is a 50% first deposit bonus on offer that allows you to get bonus funds of up to $1,000. Our Rating Great odds Large range of betting limits Focus on US sports First deposit bonus up to $1,000 Sometimes slow withdrawals Claim Your Bonus How we rate the best Massachusetts online bookmakers There are a lot of different ways that you can judge the merits of an online betting platform. It is important to quickly narrow the options by eliminating all of the sites that are not up to scratch. Then you will see that the cream rises to the top. Here is the standard set of criteria we look at when conducting an objective assessment of a given online sportsbook: Sports on offer Range of betting markets for each sport Selection of sporting events Competitive odds Live betting Ease of use Payment methods Customer support Licensing and security What to consider when choosing a betting site Once you have your shortlist together of viable online sportsbooks, you can then start to filter through the final options. To do so, it is a good idea to rank your priorities when it comes to these types of offerings. Some people may have a particular preference for a good mobile offering, while others may require certain payment methods. Here are some of those key criteria to look at: Legal standing You won’t find regulated Massachusetts sports betting as of yet, but most offshore platforms will have licenses elsewhere. You also want to check their track record with other customers. Customer support A good customer support offering is ideal if you run into any issues with a platform. You need to check the range of contact options, opening hours and quality or responses. Payment methods It is vital that there are payment methods on offer with a given site that will fit your needs. Have a look at what is on offer for deposits and withdrawals, as well as any fees and their processing times. Promotions One of the highlights of opening a sports betting account is the welcome offer. This is usually a free bet, with existing bettors also getting their hands on regular promotions. Competitive odds With your sports bets, it is important that you are getting the best odds. This means that you are maximizing your winnings each and every time you place a wager. Live betting Live betting is a big deal for many people. You want to look at the range of markets and live betting events, as well as making sure that the entire interface fits your needs. The future of online gambling in Massachusetts There has been a push from people in the Massachusetts legislature to get legalized sports betting in place. While no bill has gotten full approval from the House or Senate as of yet, it seems like it will only be a matter of time. Nearby states like Maryland and New Hampshire are also looking at sports betting legalization. It is worth Massachusetts residents keeping an eye on developments in the region, as these matters can change rapidly in the blink of an eye. Where else is online gambling legal in the US? There are many states with legal gambling in the United States. When the Supreme Court voted to end the federal ban on sports betting (PASPA) in 2018, this opened the floodgates. While some regions only offer retail sports betting, there has been a successful rollout of online sportsbooks in the likes of New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, Colorado, Tennessee, West Virginia, and Rhode Island. While the tax rates vary in each region, the tax revenue has largely been impressive, The likes of online poker and online casinos are also gaining momentum, but not at as fast of a rate as sportsbooks. If you want to see the current online gambling legal situation in a certain state, here is an interactive map: AL AK AZ AR CA CO CT DE FL GA HI ID IL IN IA KS KY LA ME MD MA MI MN MS MO MT NE NV NH NJ NM NY NC ND OH OK OR PA RI SC SD TN TX UT VT VA WA WV WI WY DC Bottom line For people in Massachusetts, sports is a way of life. Many massively successful sports teams call Massachusetts their home and they love backing their teams. This is why sports betting in Massachusetts is so popular. While the regulated market is not yet a reality, there are some top-quality offshore betting sites you can check out today. FAQs What is the legal gambling age in Massachusetts? If you are looking to gamble at one of the casinos in Massachusetts, you will need to be at least 21 years old to play the likes of table games and slot machines. If you are looking to place a horse racing bet or buy a state lottery ticket, then you only need to be 18 years old. Most of the offshore online sportsbooks also require you to be at least 18 years old. Are there any restrictions on what sports or events you can bet on? Some states with regulated sports betting markets will not allow you to place bets on in-state college teams or sporting events. However, no such rules are currently in place in Massachusetts. This means that you can bet on NFL, NBA, MLB, NHL and college sports games as you please. Some of the best teams in the state you can wager on include the Boston Celtics, New England Patriots, Boston Bruins, Boston Red Sox, Boston College, and Boston University. Is there mobile sports betting in Massachusetts? The majority of the offshore sportsbooks will have some type of mobile offering for its bettors. This could be through an app that can be downloaded or simply by using the mobile-optimized website. What is the best sports betting welcome offer? There are many different types of welcome offers, including free bets, risk-free bets, matched bets, deposit bonuses and no deposit free bets. Each will have their own pros and cons, as well as the wagering conditions that need to be carefully considered. How has the COVID-19 pandemic changed gambling in Massachusetts? As the casinos in the state had to shut down for some time during the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, it emphasized the importance of online gambling options for people in the state. This may be a catalyst to push through legislation allowing the likes of Massachusetts sports betting online. About Andrew O'Malley Alex has been writing about the gambling industry for more than five years, covering everything from sports betting to casinos and poker. With the sector constantly evolving, he loves nothing better than staying up to date with the latest movers and shakers in the space. View all posts by Andrew O'Malley →
