Thanks to a last-minute deal in August 2022, legalized sports betting will be coming to Massachusetts in 2023, joining more than 30 other states with some form of legislation.
What can bettors in the Bay State expect when sports betting launches? We’ll look at a projected timeline, where you’ll be able to bet, and more.
When Will Sports Betting Launch in Massachusetts?
In an attempt to bring sports betting to Massachusetts sports fans as soon as possible, state legislators have opted for a staggered rollout. Instead of having both retail and mobile sportsbooks launch at the same time, brick-and-mortar sportsbooks will become available ahead of their online counterparts.
At the time of this writing, there is no set date for when retail sportsbooks will launch. It’s expected, however, bettors in Massachusetts will be able to place wagers in-person sometime in January 2023.
For Massachusetts residents who don’t live near a retail location or who simply don’t want to drive to one, have no fear. Mobile wagering is expected to go live two months later in March and will hopefully be ready in time for the excitement of March Madness.
Massachusetts Retail Sportsbook Locations
Currently, there are five locations across Massachusetts that will be able to house a physical sportsbook. Three will be in the state’s casinos while the other two will be located at the two horse racetracks.
Each of the casinos will be permitted to partner with two mobile operators while both horse tracks can have one.
- Encore Boston Harbor – As the first casino to receive approval from the Massachusetts Gaming Commission (MGC), Encore will feature a WynnBET-branded retail sportsbook. Caesars Sportsbook is also seeking entry into Massachusetts via Boston’s only casino.
- MGM Springfield – As one of the premier names in gambling, MGM Springfield will be adding a sportsbook to its hundreds of slots and table games. The casino has stated they plan on only operating one online sportsbook, BetMGM.
- Plainridge Park Casino – Located just four miles from Gillette Stadium, Plainridge Park Casino hit a snag in its application process early on due to its relationship with Barstool Sportsbook and David Portnoy. Plainridge is operated by Penn National Gaming, which will fully own Barstool by February 2023.
- Raynham Park – Planning to be the largest sports betting facility in Massachusetts, Raynham Park will open in 2023.
- Suffolk Downs – Originally built in 1935, Massachusetts bettors will have a second retail option in Boston.
What Online Sportsbooks Will Be Available in Massachusetts?
At full maturity, there will be 15 Massachusetts online sportsbooks. Eight will be tied to the five brick-and-mortar shops above, while the other seven won’t have any direct Massachusetts affiliation.
The following mobile sportsbook apps are some of the most likely to show up in the Old Colony State:
- DraftKings – Not only has DraftKings operated its daily fantasy sports platform in the state for several years, but it also has its headquarters in Boston. DraftKings offers one of the best mobile betting experiences in the industry and soon bettors will be able to take advantage of the DraftKings Massachusetts promo code.
- FanDuel – Similar to DraftKings, FanDuel has gone from a DFS operator to a leader in the online sportsbook industry. As one of the top two sportsbooks in the US, FanDuel will no doubt be a Massachusetts favorite.
- bet365 – The UK-based sportsbook has announced a partnership with Raynham Park to be its mobile sportsbook provider.
- BetMGM
- Caesars
- BetRivers – Although BetRivers doesn’t carry the same name recognition as the sportsbooks above, don’t let that fool you. BetRivers is available in double-digit states and is constantly in running for new state launches.
- PointsBet – As another sportsbook based outside of the US, PointsBet has been rapidly expanding in the states recently.
- Barstool Sportsbook
- WynnBET
- Fanatics – The second sportsbook to partner with Plainridge Park Casino, Fanatics is making an aggressive entrance into online betting.
Are There Any Betting Restrictions in Massachusetts?
The key restriction for Massachusetts bettors to know about is the college betting restriction. While not entirely banned, House Bill 5164 does ban wagers on in-state colleges. There is one caveat, however, which allows bets on in-state colleges when they are involved in tournaments.
This means if any Massachusetts schools make it to events like March Madness or the NCAA hockey tournament, betting on them will be allowed.
While not directly a betting restriction, Massachusetts residents won’t be able to make online sportsbook deposits using a credit card. While typically seen as a convenient deposit method, using a credit card with sportsbooks can lead to unforeseen issues. Most credit card companies will charge additional fees when used for online sportsbook deposits. On top of that, withdrawing to credit cards is generally not permitted. This means you would have to make another deposit using a different option to withdraw any winnings.
