Massachusetts Sports Betting Guide for 2023

For many sports fans in Massachusetts, March proved to be a fantastic month. As of March 10, sports betting is now legal in the Bay State, allowing fans to place wagers on sporting events across the United States and the rest of the world.

Massachusetts had long been a holdout among the New England region and other northeastern states, but the decision to legalize sports wagers in the state brings it in line with many of its neighbors.

Whether it’s the NFL Draft, the NBA Playoffs or the Stanley Cup Finals, Massachusetts residents can now bet on sporting events from their own homes. Check out this MA betting guide and you can find similar betting guides here.

Massachusetts Sports Betting Updates

To say that sports betting in Massachusetts is proving popular is like saying that Tom Brady and Bill Belichick had a decent run together with the New England Patriots.

Since the approval of sports betting in Massachusetts in March, applications for new accounts at legal sportsbooks have skyrocketed. In just about a month, roughly 8 million new accounts have been created at the six legal sportsbooks available in the state.

If you’re willing to do the math, that means an average of just over one account per resident of Massachusetts, as the state’s population sits at just under 7 million.

Obviously, quite a few citizens of the Bay State are under 21 and can’t legally wager in Massachusetts until then, so it’s probably closer to two accounts per legal adult in the Commonwealth.

That said, the state is still trying to figure out a few things around mass sports betting and making sure that it’s regulated properly so that it’s fair for both customers and sportsbook operators.

One great example came in early 2023 when DraftKings applied for a license to take wagers on the Boston Marathon when it took place in May.

The state’s gaming commission chose to deny the sportsbook the opportunity to offer odds on the Boston Marathon, citing that there was not enough time to implement that idea and ensure that odds could be written up and checked multiple times for bettors.

Otherwise, most sportsbooks in Massachusetts have hit the ground running during the early sign-up period. Once you sign up for a sportsbook account, you’ll likely become eligible for several promotional bets, which can help you start figuring out a few teams that tend to provide strong performances when you need them.

Promo bets are coming fast and furious now, and they’ll likely explode in the next several weeks as new sportsbooks try to get customers and build loyalty.

Put simply, this is a great time to be a sports bettor in the Bay State because everyone wants you to give them your business when you make wagers.

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— DraftKings Sportsbook (@DKSportsbook) April 12, 2023

Which Sportsbooks Are Best for Massachusetts Sports Betting?

When it comes to sports betting in Massachusetts, your best bet is to stick to the sportsbooks offered by the biggest names in the industry. FanDuel, DraftKings and Caesars Sportsbook have operated in several states for the past five years plus, and they’re now some of the most trusted names in the MA sports betting industry because they offer so many options for sports bettors.

Between the three of them, they offer robust sports betting options from around the globe, including the English Premier League, Grand Slam tennis tournaments and PGA golf events.

Most sports fans will gravitate toward the Big Five sports in America, and all three offer plenty of ways to bet on MLB, NFL, NBA, NHL and MLS action.

On top of that, all three offer several bonuses that give customers opportunities for second-chance bets, making it easier for bettors to take intelligent risks on their favorite sports.

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LeBron James to score 25+ points ✅
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Lakers to win vs. Timberwolves 😅

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— FanDuel Sportsbook (@FDSportsbook) April 12, 2023

How Does Massachusetts Sports Betting Work?

Betting on sports in Massachusetts is regulated by the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, and sportsbook operators can only offer bets that are approved by the state’s gaming commission.

That’s why you won’t see certain bets available, such as bets on Massachusetts-based college teams. The state has the ability to restrict certain wagers per state law, and the law does not permit betting on any Massachusetts-based college team in order to limit the risk of a young athlete taking a payment to shave points.

Beyond that, the main rule is that you must be physically located in Massachusetts to place a wager.

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When you try to make a bet, the sportsbook will use geolocation software as part of its online betting in Massachusetts operation to confirm that your device is located in Massachusetts when you attempt to bet. If it can’t confirm that you’re located in the Bay State, it won’t allow you to wager.

You’ll also have to have an account that’s specific to Massachusetts in order to place a bet in Massachusetts.

If you’ve previously used FanDuel in Connecticut, where it’s been legal since October 2021, your Connecticut-based account won’t work if you try to use it in Massachusetts. You’ll have to start a new account for betting solely within the state’s borders.

How Can You Start Betting on Sports in Massachusetts?

Betting on sports in Massachusetts is a pretty simple process. Per Massachusetts law, you have two options for placing your bets.

You can either travel to one of the state’s three brick-and-mortar casinos and place a bet there, or you can sign up with one of the six legalized sportsbooks in the state and place bets from either your mobile device or your laptop.

In order to place a bet as part of online sports betting in Massachusetts, you’ll need to choose a sportsbook you like and sign up for an account.

You can do that by providing your personal information to prove that you’re 21 years old or older and can thus legally bet in Massachusetts.

Once you’ve done that, you’ll have to make a deposit with the sportsbook you’ve chosen. Usually, this is a minimum of $10, but the amount can vary depending on the sportsbook.

As soon as you’ve placed your deposit, you’re able to make your bets on anything that interests you that the sportsbook offers.

There’s one final step: your mobile device or computer must be able to establish that you’re physically located in Massachusetts, or the sportsbook won’t be able to accept your wager.

Each sportsbook has its own geolocation capabilities, so they’ll be able to tell if you’re logging in from Massachusetts and can ensure they’re only taking bets from people who are doing so legally.

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— Caesars Sportsbook (@CaesarsSports) March 10, 2023

What Sports Can You Bet on in Massachusetts?

Massachusetts sports fans are some of the most knowledgeable in the country, so it makes sense that Massachusetts sports betting would include some of the deepest options anywhere in the United States.

Depending on the sportsbook you choose to work with, you’ll be able to bet on a wide range of sports, including the most popular across the country.

Any sportsbook will offer lines on Major League Baseball, the NFL, the NBA and the NHL, so Massachusetts bettors can place wagers on or against any major American or Canadian team they want.

When you bet in Massachusetts, you can bet on a wide range of things, such as the spread in football, the number of first-period goals in hockey or the number of rebounds a player gets in the NBA. All of them are open to you as long as the sportsbook offers that action.

If they don’t have it initially, contacting the book can sometimes get that line priced so that you can make that wager if you want to change it.

You can also bet on college sports, but that’s trickier than professional sports betting because Massachusetts law only allows you to bet on college games where neither team is from Massachusetts unless the contest occurs in a postseason tournament in which there was no way for the Massachusetts team to avoid being part of it.

If Boston College, Harvard, or any other team based in Massachusetts plays in a regularly scheduled game, the game won’t be available for betting anywhere in the Commonwealth. However, if a game doesn’t involve a Massachusetts school, it will be offered.

What Are the Most Popular Teams to Bet in Massachusetts?

If you’ve spent any real time in Massachusetts, you know that sports fans take their teams seriously in Boston and across the state.

The most popular teams to back in Massachusetts sports betting are the five Massachusetts teams themselves: the Boston Red Sox, the New England Patriots, the Boston Celtics, the Boston Bruins and the New England Revolution.

Fans of these teams will jump on the chance to place a bet on them to either keep up their momentum or get back on track after a tough result the night before.

Before you make a bet on a local team or on the best NBA players from Massachusetts, there’s something you need to consider. Betting on the Red Sox, the Celtics and especially the Bruins in 2023 is fun.

It’s supposed to be enjoyable, and sports fans love nothing more than seeing their team win and making some money in the process.

Still, with the local teams as good as they are and likely to pick up some solid action throughout the postseason, this might not be a situation where you want to back the same side as most people.

That’s because when bettors make their play, they often look at the team that isn’t getting much action and makes a play on them in order to get a better price.

During the playoffs, that’s going to be harder than ever to find your team and make a profit, because the Celtics and Bruins are both thinking they have a chance to win their league’s title this season.

When lots of people bet on the Bruins, the other side gets more points to make them more enticing. If a team has Boston or New England in its name, get your bet in early to maximize your chances of winning more money.

How Can You Make Smart Bets in Massachusetts?

One of the best things you can do concerning sports betting in Massachusetts is to take the time to familiarize yourself with sports betting and how much you can afford to lose.

When it’s done right, Massachusetts sports betting can be one of the most enjoyable activities for fans because it allows them to get invested in their teams and make some money at the same time.

However, that means doing your research and knowing why you’re making the bets that you choose. You might simply want to win whenever your team wins, or you might be genuinely looking for an angle that gives you a chance to try to win bigger amounts of money. Whatever your interest is, make sure that you develop a strategy and stick to its basic principles.

That doesn’t mean that you should never change parts of your strategy as new information comes in.

For example, if you notice that the Celtics play better when they play at a certain style, you should absolutely use that to your advantage.

However, if you’ve been tending to stick to $10 bets, don’t jump up to $50 out of nowhere unless you’ve got a really good reason to do so.

Nor should you suddenly dive into a sport you don’t know much about without doing your research.

Above all, sports betting in Massachusetts is supposed to be fun, and you’ll give yourself the best chance to have fun and make money when you make smart, reasonable bets.

Sticking to your strategy won’t always result in a win, but in the long run, you’ll give yourself a reasonable chance to win every bet you make.

That can lead to big wins and thrilling outcomes, making a good thing even better!

Massachusetts Sports Betting FAQ

Is sports betting legal in Massachusetts?

Yes. As of March 10, 2023, sports betting is legal in Massachusetts for anyone who is 21 years old or older. You must sign up for an account with a sportsbook that is licensed in Massachusetts.

Can you bet on live sports in Massachusetts?

Yes. Live sports betting is legal in Massachusetts as of March 10, 2023. Massachusetts live betting is available to anyone who has signed up for a Massachusetts account.

Can you bet on college sports in Massachusetts?

Yes, but you can only bet on out-of-state college teams. With the exception of major postseason tournaments, games involving Boston College, UMass, Boston University, Stonehill, Holy Cross, Harvard, Northeastern and UMass-Lowell are not available for wagers in Massachusetts.

Where can I bet on sports in Massachusetts?

Massachusetts sports betting can be done anywhere in the state once you‘ve signed up with a legal sportsbook in the state. When you place a bet, the sportsbook will check your location and confirm you‘re physically located in Massachusetts before accepting your wager.

How old do I need to be to bet on sports in Massachusetts?

You must be at least 21 years old in order to sign up with a sportsbook and place wagers in Massachusetts.

If you want to find video picks for MA teams check out our daily selection here.

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