Massachusetts Betting

Online sports betting launched March 2023 under the 2022 Sports Wagering Act, regulated by the MGC; bettors must be 21+ and in-state. bet365 is not among the Commission’s licensees. Legal online horse-race ADW operates (18+). On prediction markets Massachusetts has initiated legal action against Kalshi and Robinhood, and only MGC-licensed operators may accept sports wagers in the Commonwealth, so unlicensed sports-event contracts are classified prohibited.

Massachusetts Governor Charlie Baker signed sports betting into law on August 10, 2022. Retail sports betting began at the state’s licensed land-based venues on January 31, 2023. Massachusetts sports betting sites launched on March 10, 2023, just in time for March Madness.

Six sports betting sites launched that day and more operators joined later. Two early entrants — Betr and WynnBet — did not renew their licences after their one-year temporary terms ran out in early 2024.

The Massachusetts Gaming Commission regulates sports betting in the state. The same group oversees the state’s casino industry. 

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Massachusetts Sports Betting Sites

There are seven licensed Massachusetts online sports betting operators. Each accepts wagers from players anywhere in the state who are at least 21 years old.

• BetMGM (MGM Springfield)

• Caesars Sportsbook (Encore Boston Harbor)

• Fanatics Betting & Gaming (Plainridge Park Casino)

• Penn Sports Interactive (Plainridge Park Casino)

• Bally Bet

• DraftKings

• FanDuel

The first four hold Category 3 licences tethered to a casino; Bally Bet, DraftKings and FanDuel hold untethered Category 3 licences. Betway is not among the Commission’s licensees.

The Massachusetts Gaming Commission is the regulatory body for the state’s sports betting industry. It handles all aspects of the licensing and enforcement process. This includes vetting all key employees, sports betting companies, and vendors like software providers, geolocation tools, and marketing affiliates.

The Massachusetts Gaming Commission audits the financials of the state’s sports betting sites while collecting licensing fees and taxes. It also intervenes in player disputes related to support issues, bet grading, and payment processing.

Offshore sportsbooks still accept Massachusetts players. Some even claim they are legal when no license has been issued. There is too much risk in playing at these sites now that sports betting is legal in Massachusetts. If you have a dispute with a company based in the Caribbean or Central America, there is nothing you can do. These online sportsbooks have no gaming commission like Massachusetts has to mediate your dispute.

Massachusetts Sports Betting Laws

Massachusetts sports betting was legalized when the state legislature passed H5164 on August 1, 2022. It became law with Governor Baker’s signature nine days later. The legislative session was extended to ensure the passage of this measure.

Under this law the Commission may issue no more than seven Category 3 mobile licenses that are not tied to a casino or racetrack licensee; casino and racetrack licensees may separately partner with Category 3 operators.

The Commission lists seven Category 3 (online) licensees — four tethered to a land-based licensee and three untethered — alongside the three land-based venues licensed for sports wagering. Wagers on a collegiate event involving a team from the Commonwealth are barred unless that team is playing in a collegiate tournament, which the statute defines as four or more teams making up a single unit of competition. Separately, and whichever teams are involved, no wager may turn on how an individual college athlete performs — so college player props are barred outright.

The minimum age is 21 for online and retail sports betting in Massachusetts. Bettors must be within the state and not on an exclusion list to participate.

The tax rate is 15% on retail bets and 20% for online and mobile ones. The licensing fee is $5 million. There is a $200,000 nonrefundable application processing fee. Each license is valid for five years. Some Massachusetts sports betting sites were permitted to pay a $1 million temporary licensing fee at launch. These are valid for one year and must be renewed for five years at $5 million when the first term expires.

Massachusetts Sports Betting FAQ

Can Massachusetts sportsbooks offer betting on college games?

College sports betting is permitted in Massachusetts except on teams located in the state, and the exception to that is an in-state team playing in a collegiate tournament, such as March Madness or the College World Series. There is a further restriction that applies to every college game: no wager may depend on how an individual athlete performs, so college player props are barred whichever teams are playing.

What is the minimum age to bet on sports in Massachusetts?

The minimum age for sports betting in Massachusetts is 21. This applies to retail and online sports wagering.

What can I do if a have a complaint about a licensed sportsbook in Massachusetts?

The Massachusetts Gaming Commission regulates sports betting. That organization handles player complaints related to sports betting, like slow payouts and incorrect bet grading. Complaints are accepted here.

How can I bet on sports in Massachusetts?

Massachusetts law permits licensed operators to accept sports bets online and through mobile apps, and allows category 1 and category 2 licensees to accept them in person at their authorised facilities.