The gambling laws in the Bay State may have taken a turn for the positive in the last decade, but for the time being, there is no legal Massachusetts sports betting. In saying that, there are currently some important moves being made by lawmakers that could hopefully change this fact in the near future.
As we only recommend trustworthy, licensed betting sites on our sports betting pages, we are unable to provide any links to the best Massachusetts legal online sportsbook. Instead, we’ve focused on the current betting laws including what other betting options are available, as well as the future outlook for the industry.
What Betting Options are Legal for Massachusetts Residents
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Don’t let the absence of a Massachusetts legal online sportsbook turn you away from gambling in the state. Fortunately, Massachusetts bettors are able to enjoy a number of gambling alternatives, including full-scale casino gambling such as slots and poker, daily fantasy sports wagering, horse race betting, and the lottery.
Is Daily Fantasy Legal in Massachusetts?
In many states, daily fantasy sports (DFS) betting is neither legal or illegal, but simply is tolerated in a legal gray zone. This is not the case for Massachusetts, which legalized DFS in 2018. Since then, players have been able to access reputable sports betting sites DraftKings and FanDuel without fear of breaking the law.
MA players are able to draft fantasy teams for all major sports leagues in what is perhaps the closest thing to legal Massachusetts online gambling. The legalization and regulation of the games has suited both players and the state treasury, which now benefits from a 15 percent tax on DFS revenues.
Are there Legal Offshore Sites for Massachusetts Players
Massachusetts gambling law does not specifically outlaw outline gambling, which may lead players to believe that unlicensed betting sites are safe and fair Massachusetts legal online sportsbooks. However, this is a dangerous assumption, as the lack of licensing means that offshore betting sites do not guarantee player protection.
These sites, such as Bovada and MyBookie, are accepting players from jurisdictions where sports betting is still illegal. For this reason, these are not trusted sportsbooks nor legal websites. There is no guarantee that bets will be fair when you bet with these sportsbooks, and you have no legal protection in case something goes wrong.
Casinos
In 2011, Massachusetts passed the Expanded Gaming Act of 2011 which allowed the construction of three major casino resorts in the state as well as one slot-only facility. These casinos have since opened and include the Plainridge Park Casino, the MGM Casino in Springfield, and the Encore Boston Harbor.
There is also a planned casino to be opened by the Mashpee Wampanoag casino project, though the project has been stalled by legal issues. For now, the three Vegas-style resorts offer comprehensive gaming from slots to blackjack, roulette, and poker. There are also world-class entertainment and dining options available.
Racetrack Betting
In recent years, horse racing has faced a massive decline in Massachusetts. The state once had a long and storied love affair with betting on thoroughbred races, but waning consumer interest has seen a number of horse tracks close in recent years. As of 2020, the only track with a license to host races is the Plainridge Park Casino.
Despite this, there are a number of off-track betting sites and simulcast wagering that MA bettors can enjoy. Due to the absence of legal online sports betting in Massachusetts of any kind, gamblers are unable to legally place horse race wagers online but must make bets in-person.
Card Rooms
Before 2011, it was illegal for non-charity poker games to be hosted in the Bay State. Now, there are two premier poker rooms in Massachusetts, both of which host international poker tournaments. These can both be found at the Encore Boston Harbor and the MGM Casino and Resort in Springfield.
The MGM Springfield is a stop on MGM’s East Coast Poker Tour. The Encore poker room has 74 tables and hosts a number of game types including No Limit Hold’em. Unfortunately, there is little push for online gambling expansion in Massachusetts, meaning players are only able to enjoy legal poker in-person.
Nearby States with Legal Sports Betting
Until there is legal online sports betting in Massachusetts, we recommend players visit nearby states with legal sports betting to place wagers. It is completely legal to place bets in states with authorized sports betting, and the fact that these markets are regulated ensures that sports bets are fair and safe.
Below, we’ve listed a few neighbor states with legal sports betting. The closest state with online sports betting is Rhode Island, which is good news for gamblers who simply want to cross borders to bet without visiting a casino.
- New York
- New Hampshire
- Rhode Island
What would Legal Sports Betting in Massachusetts Look Like
Massachusetts picked the wrong time to begin its first serious push for sports betting legislation. In March 2020, lawmakers pushed a new sports betting bill through the Massachusetts House of Representatives that seeks to legalize in-person and mobile sports wagers. As it stands, the bill will allow Massachusetts casinos to offer sportsbooks and allow for an additional five online sports betting licensees.
One of these will likely be DraftKings, which is currently located in Boston. There seems to be a lot of interest around the bill, although the unexpected early closures of the state legislature have likely delayed a vote on the matter until at least 2021. Once it is legalized, sports betting will be regulated by the Massachusetts Gaming Commission.
This regulation will ensure that the safest betting sites are offering fair products. It will also ensure that at-risk players are protected, including underage minors and problem gamblers. Additionally, the Gaming Commission will make sure licensees are up to date with paying fees and taxes that will benefit the state.
Once gambling is legalized, players can expect to bet on all popular sports events from major professional leagues to NCAA collegiate division games. As a major sports hub, Massachusetts residents can look forward to placing bets on their favorite Red Sox, Bruins and Celtics games from the comfort of their own homes.
What are the Massachusetts Gambling Laws
Massachusetts gambling laws have changed dramatically over the past two decades, which has seen lawmakers and voters adopt gambling-friendly attitudes about the benefits of gaming. Currently, the state permits up to three full-scale casinos and one slots-only casino, with special permissions extended to Indian tribes.
Gaming in the state is regulated by the Massachusetts Gaming Commission, whose aim is to create a fair and transparent market following the expanded gaming law in 2011. As it stands, Massachusetts is fairly progressive when it comes to gambling compared to other states, much like its North-East US neighbor states.
| Betting Type | Law |
|---|---|
| Sports Betting | Not Legal |
| Online Sports Betting | Not Legal |
| Online Casino | Not Legal |
| Poker | Legal |
| Racetrack Betting | Legal |
| Massachusetts Gambling Age | 18+ for Lotto, Racing, 21+ for DFS and Casino |
As the table shows, offline and online Massachusetts sports betting is currently illegal, though both may change if recent legislation passes. For the time being, there has been very little interest in legalizing online gambling in the state, although states such as Pennsylvania, New Jersey and Delaware are proving the benefits of doing so.
Racetrack betting is legalized though horse racing is limited to one track in the state. Dog race betting is illegal in MA. To participate in the lottery and race betting, players must be over 18 years old. DFS betting and casino gambling is limited to players 21 years and over, which will likely be the same minimum age for sports betting.
What is the Future of Sports Betting in Massachusetts?
Massachusetts is renowned for being home to some of the most passionate sports fans in the country. It’s no wonder why, then, that experts expect MA to be a major sports betting hub. If recent years show us anything, it’s that locals are open to gambling expansion in the state, so we believe Massachusetts sports betting will come sooner rather than later.
Until there is legal online sports betting in Maryland, we suggest you continue to avoid offshore betting sites if you want to be certain that you will not break the law nor are risking your cash. For the safest, legal sports betting experiences, we suggest you travel to nearby legal sport betting states such as Rhode Island or New York.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are you still curious about Massachusetts sports betting and other legal gambling options in the state? Below, we’ve provided accurate answers to common questions about Massachusetts gambling laws and the other betting options that you can check out until sports betting is legalized.
Is online gambling and sports betting legal in Massachusetts?
No, online gambling and sports betting are not legal in Massachusetts. The closest thing to sports betting that is legal in the state is horse race betting, which can be done at an off-track parlor or at the state’s one racetrack. The closest thing to online gambling is DFS betting.
What is the Massachusetts legal gambling age?
There are two minimum Massachusetts gambling ages depending on what activity you are betting on. For the lottery and horse racing, the minimum gambling age is 18 years old. For DFS and casino betting, you must be over 21 years old. It’s highly likely that players will need to be over 21 to bets on sports once it is legalized.
Are offshore bookmaker sites legal and safe?
Although it isn’t technically illegal to bet online in Massachusetts, it is still illegal to place bets on sports in the state. For this reason, offshore bookmakers are not legal. They are also not safe due to their lack of licensing, which ensures that fair odds and player protection measures are implemented.
Can I play at a Massachusetts online sportsbook if I am not in the state?
Although there is no legal Massachusetts online sportsbook, you likely won’t be able to bet with it out of state once there is. This is the case for the sportsbooks located in legal neighboring states, which use technology to block outsider players from betting.
Can I use the FanDuel or DraftKings app in Massachusetts?
Both FanDuel and DraftKings are legal in Massachusetts. In fact, the DraftKings headquarters is located in Boston. Unfortunately, you can only use them to access daily fantasy sports for the time being, though we expect both to make an appearance as a legal Massachusetts sports betting app once it is legalized.