Massachusetts Sports Betting: Legal Sportsbooks and Betting Sites

Betting is Live in Massachusetts
| Bob Duff

Massachusetts has offered legal sports betting since January 2023, when in-person wagering opened at three casinos, and online betting followed on March 10, 2023. Seven licensed online sportsbooks are now live, every one licensed by the Massachusetts Gaming Commission. Online operators settled about $5.2 billion in wagers in the first eight months of 2026, according to the Commission’s monthly reports.

This page explains how the state’s market is structured, including its three license categories and the tax each one pays. It then compares the five sportsbooks we cover, with their casino partners and current welcome offers, before turning to how to choose one. You’ll also find the rules on betting college sports in Massachusetts, the state’s responsible gambling services and answers to the questions bettors ask most.

Massachusetts Sportsbooks Quick Facts

Retail launchJanuary 31, 2023
Online launchMarch 10, 2023
Minimum age21
RegulatorMassachusetts Gaming Commission
Live online sportsbooks7
Casinos with retail sportsbooksEncore Boston Harbor, MGM Springfield, Plainridge Park Casino
Tax on online sports betting20% of taxable sports wagering revenue
Tax on retail sports betting15% of taxable sports wagering revenue

Figures come from the Massachusetts Gaming Commission’s licensee list and its monthly sports wagering reports.

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BetMGM Sports Welcome Offer Ts and Cs: Gambling problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER or 1-800-MY-RESET (Available in the US) Call 877-8-HOPENY or text HOPENY (467369) (NY) Call 1-800-327-5050 (MA), 1-800-BETS-OFF (IA), 1-800-981-0023 (PR) 21+ only. Please Gamble Responsibly. See BetMGM.com for Terms. First Bet Offer for new customers only (if applicable). Subject to eligibility requirements. Bonus bets are non-withdrawable. In partnership with Kansas Crossing Casino and Hotel. This promotional offer is not available in DC, Mississippi, New York, Nevada, Ontario, or Puerto Rico.  MA PG Hotline LogoHope is here. Call (800)-327-5050 or http://gamblinghelplinema.org. Must be 21+. MA Only. Subject to eligibility requirements.
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Fanatics Sport Welcome Offer Ts and Cs: 21+. New customers in AZ, CO, CT, DC, IA, IL, IN, KS, KY, LA, MA, MD, MI, MO, NC, NJ, NY, OH, PA, TN, VA, VT, WV, or WY. Apply promotion in bet slip and place a $1+ cash wager (min odds -200) daily for 10 consecutive days starting day of account creation. FanCash rewards will equal the qualifying wager amount (max $100 FanCash/day). FanCash issued under this promotion expires at 11:59 p.m. ET 7 days from issuance. Terms, incl. FanCash terms, apply—see Fanatics Sportsbook app. Gambling Problem? Call or Text 1-800-GAMBLER, 1-800-NEXT-STEP (AZ), 1-800-9-WITH-IT (IN), 1-888-532-3500 (VA), Call (877-8-HOPENY) or text HOPENY (467369).
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DraftKings Sports Welcome Offer Ts and Cs: GAMBLING PROBLEM? CALL 1-800-GAMBLER or 1-800-MY-RESET, (800) 327-5050 or visit gamblinghelplinema.org (MA). Please Gamble Responsibly. 888-789-7777/visit ccpg.org (CT), or visit www.mdgamblinghelp.org (MD), 1-800-981-0023 (PR). 21+ and present in most states. (18+ DC/NH/PR/WY). Void in CAN. Eligibility restrictions apply. On behalf of Boot Hill Casino (KS). Pass-thru of per wager tax may apply in IL. 1 per new Sportsbook customer. $5+ first-time bet req. Max. $200 issued as non-withdrawable Bonus Bets. Stake removed from payout. Reward issued as $50 in Bonus Bets every 7 days via click-to-claim for 21 days. Bonus Bets and click-to-claims expire 7 days (168hrs) after issuance. Terms: dkng.co/offer. Get 1 promo code to redeem a 3-month NBA League Pass subscription, complimentary of DraftKings. Subscription auto-renews monthly at then-current price (currently $16.99/mo); cancel anytime. Terms, restrictions, and eligibility requirements apply. Redeem League Pass by 12/19/26 at 11:59 PM ET. Addt’l terms: support.watch.nba.com/hc/en-us/articles/9165532876183-League-Pass-Terms-of-Use_. Ends 11/29/26 at 11:59 PM ET. Sponsored by DK.  MA PG Hotline LogoHope is here. Call (800)-327-5050 or http://gamblinghelplinema.org. Must be 21+. MA Only. Subject to eligibility requirements.
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How Massachusetts Sportsbook Licensing Works

Massachusetts licenses sports betting in three categories. Category 1 covers the three licensed casinos: Encore Boston Harbor, MGM Springfield and Plainridge Park Casino. Category 2 covers racetracks and simulcast centers, and Category 3 covers online and mobile operators. Raynham Park and Suffolk Downs hold Category 2 licenses, but neither has launched betting apps.

Category 3 licenses come in two forms. Untethered licenses sit on their own, and the law caps them at seven. DraftKings, FanDuel and Bally Bet hold untethered licenses, and four remain available after the Commission reopened applications in April 2026. Tethered licenses attach to a casino. BetMGM operates through MGM Springfield, Caesars through Encore Boston Harbor, and Fanatics and theScore Bet through Plainridge Park Casino.

Tax depends on the category. Retail sports betting pays 15% of sports wagering revenue, and online operators pay 20%.

📰 Massachusetts Sports Betting Updates

  • August 2026: The Commission reported $571.2 million in sports wagers settled, with $9.4 million in tax collected. All seven online operators reported activity.
  • May 2026: bet365 and BetMGM submitted letters of intent to seek untethered online licenses.
  • April 2026: The Commission reopened online sports betting license applications after bet365 expressed interest in applying for a Category 3 license..
  • January 2026: The Commission reported $845.3 million in wagers settled for December 2025, with $19.6 million in tax collected.
  • December 2025: theScore Bet replaces ESPN Bet in Massachusetts, and existing accounts and balances carry over.
  • November 2025: Monthly wagers settled reached $914.7 million, the third consecutive monthly record.
  • July 2024: Bally Bet launches as the seventh licensed online sportsbook.
  • March 10, 2023: Online betting launches with six sportsbooks: DraftKings, FanDuel, BetMGM, Caesars, WynnBET and Barstool Sportsbook. WynnBET has since left the market, and Barstool Sportsbook became ESPN Bet.
  • January 31, 2023: Retail betting launches at MGM Springfield, Plainridge Park Casino and Encore Boston Harbor.
  • August 2022: Gov. Charlie Baker signs the Massachusetts Sports Wagering Act.

Best Massachusetts Betting Sites

The five sportsbooks below are the ones we cover in detail. Seven are live in Massachusetts, and the other two are not covered on this page. Each row shows the casino where the sportsbook runs a retail counter, if it has one. Online operators have no casino partner, so their retail column reads “None.” Offers change, so check the terms on each sportsbook’s write-up before you sign up.

SportsbookCasino partnerCurrent welcome offer
⭐ BetMGM MassachusettsMGM SpringfieldUp to $1,500 in bonus bets if your first bet doesn’t win
⭐ Caesars MassachusettsEncore Boston HarborN/A
⭐ DraftKings Promo CodeNone (online only)$200 in bonus bets over 21 days, plus three months of NBA League Pass
⭐ FanDuel Promo CodeNone (online only)$350 in bonus bets when you wager $5 over seven days
⭐ Fanatics Promo CodeNone (online only)Up to $1,000 in FanCash over 10 days

BetMGM Massachusetts Sportsbook

BetMGM Massachusetts Sportsbook

BetMGM holds its Massachusetts license through MGM Springfield, so you can also bet in person at the casino. It has a partnership with the Boston Red Sox, including branding at Fenway Park. New customers can claim up to $1,500 in bonus bets if their first bet does not win, using promo code BOOKIESBONUS. Bonus bets are non-withdrawable and expire seven days after they’re issued.

Every wager also earns BetMGM Rewards points, which can be redeemed at MGM properties. That suits bettors who already visit MGM casinos and is separate from the welcome offer.

Check out our BetMGM Massachusetts for all the details or just hit Bet Now below to get started.

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BetMGM Sports Welcome Offer Ts and Cs: Gambling problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER or 1-800-MY-RESET (Available in the US) Call 877-8-HOPENY or text HOPENY (467369) (NY) Call 1-800-327-5050 (MA), 1-800-BETS-OFF (IA), 1-800-981-0023 (PR) 21+ only. Please Gamble Responsibly. See BetMGM.com for Terms. After making a first deposit in the amount of at least ten dollars ($10.00), Participants will receive One (1) No Sweat Token with a maximum stake of one hundred dollars ($100) every day for the first 10 days after successful first deposit. Each No Sweat Token must be used in a single transaction. Any unused amounts will be forfeited.Each No Sweat Token expires in 24 hours. Bonus Bets expire in seven (7) days and are non-withdrawable.

Caesars Massachusetts

Caesars Massachusetts

Caesars operates in Massachusetts through Encore Boston Harbor, the resort casino in Everett, just north of Boston. That makes it one of the few sportsbooks where you can place a bet at a casino counter as well as online.

Caesars’ welcome offer isn’t currently listed. Check the Caesars Sportsbook site for current promotions before you sign up. Be sure to read our Caesars Sportsbook Massachusetts Promo Code and Review.

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Caesars Sports Welcome Offer Ts and Cs: Must be 21+ and physically present in AZ, CO, IL, IN, IA, KS, KY, LA, ME, MD, MA, MI, MO, NJ, NY, NC, OH, PA, TN, VA, WV, WY or Washington, DC. New users only. Must register using eligible promo code. Min. qualifying bet amount: $1. Tokens max. bet amount: $25 per token. Tokens bet max. add'l winnings: $2,500 per token. Token(s) expire 14 days after receipt. Not reissued for voided/pushed bets. Void where prohibited. See Caesars.com/promos for full terms. Know When To Stop Before You Start®. Gambling Problem? CO, IL, KY, MD, MI, MO, NJ, TN, VA, WV, WY, KS (Affiliated with Kansas Crossing Casino), ME (Licensed through the Mi’kmaq Nation, Penobscot Nation, and Houlton Band of Maliseet Indians, federally recognized tribes located in the State of Maine), NC (Licensed through Tribal Casino Gaming Enterprise), PA (Affiliated with Harrah's Philadelphia): If you or someone you know has a gambling problem, crisis counseling and referral services can be accessed by calling 1-800-GAMBLER (1-800-426-2537) or MD: visit mdgamblinghelp.org or WV: visit 1800gambler.net; AZ: Call 1-800-NEXT-STEP; IN: Call 1-800-9-WITH-IT; IA: Call 1-800-BETSOFF; MA: Call 1-800-327-5050 or visit gamblinghelplinema.org, NY: Call 877-8-HOPENY or text HOPENY (467369); LA (Licensed through Horseshoe Bossier City and Caesars New Orleans) Call 1-800-522-4700, Washington, DC (OLG Class A licensed Operator): Call 1-800-MY-RESET. ©2026, Caesars Entertainment

DraftKings Massachusetts Sportsbook

DraftKings Massachusetts Sportsbook

DraftKings is headquartered in Boston and runs its Massachusetts sportsbook online only. New customers who place a first bet of $5 or more get $200 in bonus bets, released as $50 every seven days over 21 days, plus three months of NBA League Pass. Bonus bets expire seven days after they’re issued, and the offer ends November 29, 2026.

Bettors who also play daily fantasy sports will recognize the brand, since DraftKings began as a fantasy operator well before it launched its sportsbook. Be sure to check out our DraftKings Massachusetts Promo Code & Review.

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DraftKings Sports Welcome Offer Ts and Cs: GAMBLING PROBLEM? CALL 1-800-GAMBLER or 1-800-MY-RESET, (800) 327-5050 or visit gamblinghelplinema.org (MA). Please Gamble Responsibly. 888-789-7777/visit ccpg.org (CT), or visit www.mdgamblinghelp.org (MD), 1-800-981-0023 (PR). 21+ and present in most states. (18+ DC/NH/PR/WY). Void in CAN. Eligibility restrictions apply. On behalf of Boot Hill Casino (KS). Pass-thru of per wager tax may apply in IL. 1 per new Sportsbook customer. $5+ first-time bet req. Max. $200 issued as non-withdrawable Bonus Bets. Stake removed from payout. Reward issued as $50 in Bonus Bets every 7 days via click-to-claim for 21 days. Bonus Bets and click-to-claims expire 7 days (168hrs) after issuance. Terms: dkng.co/offer. Get 1 promo code to redeem a 3-month NBA League Pass subscription, complimentary of DraftKings. Subscription auto-renews monthly at then-current price (currently $16.99/mo); cancel anytime. Terms, restrictions, and eligibility requirements apply. Redeem League Pass by 12/19/26 at 11:59 PM ET. Addt’l terms: support.watch.nba.com/hc/en-us/articles/9165532876183-League-Pass-Terms-of-Use_. Ends 11/29/26 at 11:59 PM ET. Sponsored by DK.

FanDuel Massachusetts Sportsbook

FanDuel  Massachusetts Sportsbook

FanDuel’s Massachusetts welcome offer pays $50 in bonus bets a day for seven days when you wager $5 each day, up to $350 in total. Many bettors regard FanDuel Sportsbook as the No. 1 sportsbook in America, and its daily structure suits anyone who wants to spread a welcome offer over a week rather than rely on one large qualifying bet.

Check out our FanDuel Massachusetts Promo Code & Review.

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FanDuel Sports Welcome Offer Ts and Cs: Must be 21+ to participate. Gambling Problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER or visit FanDuel.com/RG (CO, IA, KY, MI, NJ, OH, PA, IL, TN, VA, VT), 1-800-NEXT-STEP or text NEXTSTEP to 53342 (AZ), 1-888-789-7777 or visit ccpg.org/chat (CT), 1-800-9-WITH-IT (IN), 1-800-522-4700 or visit ksgamblinghelp.com (KS), 1-877-770-STOP (LA), visit www.mdgamblinghelp.org (MD), 1-800-522-4700 (WY), or visit www.1800gambler.net (WV). GamblingHelpLineMA.org or call (800) 327-5050 for 24/7 support (MA). Call 1-877-8HOPE-NY or text HOPENY (467369) (NY).

Fanatics Massachusetts

Fanatics sportsbooks welcome offer pays up to $1,000 in FanCash over the first 10 days. Each day, a cash wager of $1 or more at odds of -200 or longer earns FanCash equal to the stake, up to $100 a day. FanCash expires seven days after it’s issued.

Of the five sportsbooks covered here, Fanatics has the lowest qualifying wager, so it’s the easiest welcome offer to trigger. The daily structure rewards bettors who keep placing bets across the period, rather than one large bet on day one.

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Fanatics Sport Welcome Offer Ts and Cs: 21+. New customers in AZ, CO, CT, DC, IA, IL, IN, KS, KY, LA, MA, MD, MI, MO, NC, NJ, NY, OH, PA, TN, VA, VT, WV, or WY (excludes NY). Apply promotion in bet slip and place a $1+ cash wager (min odds -200) daily for 10 consecutive days starting day of account creation. FanCash rewards will equal the qualifying wager amount (max $100 FanCash/day). FanCash issued under this promotion expires at 11:59 p.m. ET 7 days from issuance. Terms, incl. FanCash terms, apply—see Fanatics Sportsbook app. Gambling Problem? Call or Text 1-800-GAMBLER, 1-800-NEXT-STEP (AZ), 1-800-9-WITH-IT (IN), 1-888-532-3500 (VA), Call (877-8-HOPENY) or text HOPENY (467369).

theScore Bet Massachusetts

theScore Bet launched in Massachusetts in December 2025, taking over from ESPN BET following PENN Entertainment's split with ESPN. The platform retains the same technology and user experience as before, now operating under the theScore Bet brand. It offers daily odds boosts, featured parlays, and strong integration with sports news and scores content.

New users get a Bet Reset up to $1,000 using promo code BOOKIES. If your first qualifying bet loses, you get the stake back in bonus bets.

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theScore Bet Sportsbook Welcome Offer Ts and Cs: Must be 21+ and present in AZ, CO, IA, IL, IN, KS, KY, LA, MA, MD, NC, OH, TN, or VA. Gambling Problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER (CO, IL, KS, KY, LA, MD, NC, OH, VA). Call 1-800-NEXT-STEP (AZ). Call 1-800-BETS-OFF (IA). Call 1-800-9-WITH-IT (IN), Call (800)-327-5050 or gamblinghelplinema.org in MA. Call or text REDLINE: 800-889-9789 (TN).

Massachusetts Sportsbook Bonuses Compared

StructureHow it worksSportsbooks
Refund on a losing first betA losing first bet is refunded as bonus betsBetMGM
Released over several daysValue arrives in daily or weekly installments after a qualifying betDraftKings, FanDuel, Fanatics

Bonus bets are credits, not cash. They can’t be withdrawn, and the stake isn’t returned when one wins, so a $25 bonus bet at +200 pays $50 in profit, not $75.

Bonus bets from BetMGM, DraftKings and Fanatics expire seven days after they’re issued, so check the deadline before you claim one. Fanatics’ qualifying wager needs odds of -200 or longer, which is the most demanding requirement among the five. Odds boosts and other ongoing promotions run separately from welcome offers. For the latest, see our Massachusetts sportsbook promo codes page.

How to Choose a Massachusetts Sportsbook

A welcome offer is the easiest thing to compare and the least useful on its own. The sections below cover what decides whether you’ll still like a sportsbook once the bonus runs out. They look at who holds its license, how its odds and app compare, what live betting and streaming offer, whether you can bet in person and which responsible gambling tools it provides.

Licensing

Only operators on the Massachusetts Gaming Commission’s licensee list can legally take sports bets in the state, and the Commission warns that unlicensed sportsbooks are in operation. Offshore sites give you no legal recourse if a payout stalls or a bonus isn’t honored, so stick to a legal online sportsbook. All of those listed on Bookies.com are fully regulated. Check any brand you don’t recognize against the list before you deposit. Brands also leave the market: WynnBET and Betr held licenses but did not renew them, so a name you remember may no longer be licensed.

Odds and Markets

The same bet can carry different prices at different sportsbooks, and a small gap adds up. A $100 bet at +150 pays $150 in profit, while the same bet at +160 pays $160. Compare two or three prices before you bet.

Check that the sportsbook posts markets for the teams you follow: the Patriots in the NFL, the Red Sox in MLB, the Celtics in the NBA, the Bruins in the NHL and the Revolution in MLS. Some sportsbooks also post rugby, cricket and soccer markets.

If a market is new to you, our guides explain how to bet the moneyline, read a point spread, build a parlay and judge prop bets.

Live Betting and Streaming

Live Betting and/or Live Streaming

In-play betting is legal in Massachusetts, and licensed sportsbooks post live markets on moneylines, spreads, totals and props once a game starts. Our guide to in-play live bets explains how the odds move as a game unfolds. Bills that would ban in-play and prop betting have been filed in the Legislature, including one that cleared a Senate committee in March 2026, but none has become law. Some sportsbooks also stream select events in the app, so check the event list before you count on a stream.

Payments and Withdrawals

Great Customer Service

Massachusetts bans credit card deposits to sportsbook accounts, so fund your account with a debit card, bank transfer, e-wallet or another method the sportsbook accepts. Commission rules require operators to disclose deposit and withdrawal timeframes, limits and any fees, so read those before you deposit and check how long a withdrawal takes.

Retail Access

Three casinos take sports bets in person: Encore Boston Harbor in Everett, MGM Springfield and Plainridge Park Casino in Plainville, just south of Foxborough. PENN Entertainment operates Plainridge, and each casino is tied to online sportsbooks: BetMGM to MGM Springfield, Caesars to Encore Boston Harbor and Fanatics to Plainridge Park Casino. DraftKings and FanDuel hold untethered licenses, so they have no casino partner. Raynham Park and Suffolk Downs are licensed for retail betting but have not launched a sportsbook.

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FanDuel Sports Welcome Offer Ts and Cs: Must be 21+ to participate. Gambling Problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER or visit FanDuel.com/RG (CO, IA, KY, MI, NJ, OH, PA, IL, TN, VA, VT), 1-800-NEXT-STEP or text NEXTSTEP to 53342 (AZ), 1-888-789-7777 or visit ccpg.org/chat (CT), 1-800-9-WITH-IT (IN), 1-800-522-4700 or visit ksgamblinghelp.com (KS), 1-877-770-STOP (LA), visit www.mdgamblinghelp.org (MD), 1-800-522-4700 (WY), or visit www.1800gambler.net (WV). GamblingHelpLineMA.org or call (800) 327-5050 for 24/7 support (MA). Call 1-877-8HOPE-NY or text HOPENY (467369) (NY).

Responsible Gambling Tools

Every Massachusetts sportsbook must offer the same core tools, so the difference is how easy they are to find. Check that limits and a temporary break are available in the app’s settings, not hidden several menus deep, and that the sportsbook links to GameSense MA. The Responsible Gambling section below explains each tool.

What Sports Can You Bet On in Massachusetts?

Massachusetts sportsbooks can only offer events that the Commission has authorized, and the approved catalog is long. It covers the major U.S. leagues, including the NFL, NBA, MLB, NHL and MLS, along with golf, tennis, UFC, boxing, NASCAR and rugby. The catalog also includes niche sports such as netball and pesäpallo, plus special events such as league drafts, MVP awards and the Academy Awards.

Massachusetts has a team in every major U.S. league, so there is plenty to bet on at home. The New England Patriots play at Gillette Stadium in Foxborough, and our NFL odds page tracks their lines. The Red Sox play at Fenway Park, and MLB betting runs from the spring through the World Series. The Celtics, who won the 2024 NBA championship, and the Bruins, one of the NHL’s Original Six teams, both play at TD Garden. The New England Revolution play in MLS at Gillette Stadium.

Some events are off the board. High school and youth sports are not allowed, and neither are in-state college teams outside tournaments, as the next section explains. The Commission also excluded chess, cornhole, esports, jai alai and judged Olympic events at launch, though it can add events, so check the sportsbook’s menu.

Can You Bet on College Sports in Massachusetts?

College betting is legal in Massachusetts, with two firm limits that apply to every licensed sportsbook. Regular-season games involving in-state schools such as Boston College, UMass, Harvard and Boston University are off the board. Those schools become eligible to be bet on when they play in a tournament of four or more teams, such as the NCAA Tournament or the College Football Playoff. College player props are banned for every school, in-state or not.

The rules come from the 2022 law, which settled a dispute between the House, which wanted college betting, and the Senate, which wanted a ban. Sportsbooks sometimes get it wrong: The Commission has fined an operator for posting a banned college market, so a market appearing on an app isn’t proof that it’s allowed.

Other states differ. Michigan betting allows betting on in-state teams, while New Jersey betting bars bets on its own college teams and on college games played within the state. Charlie Baker, who signed the Massachusetts law as governor and now leads the NCAA, has urged states to ban college prop bets, as Massachusetts has.

Types of Bets Offered at Massachusetts Sportsbooks

Massachusetts law lists the bet types sportsbooks can offer, and the Commission has approved point spreads, futures and cash outs on top of the statutory list. These are the bets you’ll see most.

  • Moneyline: The simplest bet on who wins the game. A -150 favorite such as the Red Sox needs a $150 stake to win $100, and a +130 underdog pays $130 in profit on a $100 stake. Our guide shows how to bet the moneyline.
  • Point spread: The spread levels the field by handicapping the favorite. If the Celtics are 7.5-point favorites, a bet on Boston wins only if they win by eight or more. A bet on the underdog wins if it loses by seven or fewer, or wins outright. Both sides usually sit near -110. The NHL version is the puck line, set at 1.5 goals. See our point spread guide and NHL odds.
  • Totals: Totals ask whether both teams combined will score more or fewer points than a number the sportsbook sets. If a Patriots game has a total of 44.5, the over wins at 45 points or more and the under wins at 44 or fewer. Weather and injury news can move a total before kickoff. Our over/under betting guide covers how to bet them.
  • Parlay: A parlay links two or more bets into one, and every leg has to win. Two legs at -110 each combine to roughly +264, so a $100 stake would win about $264 if both land. Each extra leg lifts the payout and lowers your chance of cashing. Use our parlay calculator to price one, and read the parlay betting guide first.
  • Teaser: A teaser shifts the spread in your favor in exchange for a smaller payout, and it works as a parlay, so every leg must win. In a six-point NFL teaser, a Patriots side at -7.5 becomes -1.5 and its opponent at +7.5 becomes +13.5. Read our guide to teaser bets before you try one.
  • Futures: Futures are bets on outcomes decided later, such as the Red Sox to win the World Series, the Celtics to win the NBA title or the Bruins to win the Stanley Cup. They also cover awards such as NFL MVP, and your stake is tied up until the result is known. See our NFL futures page for current prices.
  • Props: Props are bets on specific events within a game rather than the final result, such as a quarterback’s passing yards or whether a team scores first. Massachusetts bans props on college players, so player props are limited to professional athletes. Our prop bets guide explains how they work.
  • In-play betting: In-play betting lets you wager after a game starts, with odds that update as the score and the situation change. Our live betting guide covers how the lines move.
  • Cash out: Cash out lets you settle a bet before the game ends for a price the sportsbook sets, which locks in a profit or limits a loss. The Commission has approved cash outs, but not every bet is eligible, so check the bet slip.

Can I Play Daily Fantasy Sports in Massachusetts?

Daily fantasy sports are legal in Massachusetts, and DraftKings, which began in Boston in 2012, and FanDuel both run contests in the state. Massachusetts legalized DFS in 2016 through an economic development bill, H.4569, alongside regulations from Attorney General Maura Healey that set a minimum age of 21 and excluded contests based on college events. The authorization was set to expire in July 2018, and DFS has stayed legal since.

Fantasy contests are separate from sports wagering under the 2022 law, and operators pay a 15% tax on adjusted gross fantasy wagering receipts and register with the Massachusetts Gaming Commission. The attorney general’s rules in 940 CMR 34 govern how contests run, and they bar contests that mimic bets such as parlays.

In February 2024 the attorney general sent cease-and-desist letters to ten operators over pick’em games, saying that those games are parlays and so count as sports wagering. By March 8, nine of the 10 had stopped offering them or never had. Our guide to the best daily fantasy sports sites compares the operators, and you can see the sportsbook sides of both brands on our DraftKings and FanDuel pages.

How to Sign up and Place a Sports Bet

How to Sign up and Place a Sports Bet at Massachusetts Sportsbooks

Opening an account takes a few minutes. These steps apply at all five sportsbooks we cover.

  1. Choose a sportsbook from our table and check its current welcome offer.
  2. Click through from this page to register, and enter the promo code if the offer needs one.
  3. Enter your full legal name, date of birth, home address, phone number and the last four digits of your Social Security number. Your address can’t be a P.O. box, and noncitizens can use a passport or taxpayer ID number instead.
  4. Verify your identity. The sportsbook checks your details against an approved reference company, may ask security questions or for a photo ID and refuses anyone under 21.
  5. Add your email address, choose a username and password, and set deposit limits at sign-up if you want them.
  6. Make your first deposit with a debit card, bank transfer, e-wallet or another approved method. Credit cards are not accepted.
  7. Opt in to the welcome offer or apply it in your bet slip if the terms require it, then place your qualifying bet.
  8. Keep location services switched on so the app can confirm you are in Massachusetts when you bet.

Responsible Gambling in Massachusetts

Massachusetts requires every licensed sportsbook to offer the tools below, and the state runs its own support services alongside them.

Tools Every Sportsbook Must Offer

Sportsbooks must let you set limits on your betting at sign-up or at any time. You can also take a temporary break, which stops you from depositing or betting for a set period. Loosening a limit isn’t instant: the change takes effect only after the limit period has ended and you confirm it.

Voluntary Self-Exclusion

The Massachusetts Voluntary Self-Exclusion program lets you exclude yourself from casino gambling, sports wagering or both for one year, three years, five years or life. Enrolling cancels any pending wagers, returns the funds, suspends your rewards points and removes you from marketing lists. You can enroll in person at a GameSense Info Center at Plainridge Park Casino, MGM Springfield or Encore Boston Harbor, by phone on 1-800-426-1234 or through the chat on gamesensema.com. Only you can enroll yourself.

Where To Get Help

The Massachusetts Problem Gambling Helpline is free, confidential and open 24 hours a day in multiple languages. Call 1-800-327-5050, text GAMB to 800-327-5050 or chat online at maproblemgamblinghelpline.org. The helpline site also offers a five-question screening process if you’re unsure whether your betting is a problem.

The Department of Public Health offers a free mobile support app called Evive for iOS and Android. GameSense MA also offers live chat at GameSenseMA.com, and the National Council on Problem Gambling’s helpline is 1-800-GAMBLER.

Massachusetts Sports Betting FAQs

Is sports betting legal in Massachusetts?

Sports betting is legal in Massachusetts. Gov. Charlie Baker signed the sports wagering law on August 10, 2022. Retail betting began at three casinos on January 31, 2023, and online betting followed on March 10, 2023. The Massachusetts Gaming Commission licenses every sportsbook, and bettors must be 21 or older.