Sports Gambling In Massachusetts 2024
Massachusetts is the heart of New England and has several successful sports franchises. Massachusetts has five professional sports franchises across five major sports leagues. Boston is the center of the sports action, hosting three of the five teams. The other teams are located in Foxborough.
As of right now, the New England Patriots are the most successful of the state’s teams and as of this writing are set to play the Atlanta Falcons in Super Bowl LI. Part of what makes Massachusetts residents so proud is that most of the professional sports teams have won multiple championships.
It’s that pride in your local sports teams that could translate into a significant interest in betting on the very teams you already follow devotedly. Betting one your favorite teams ad sports events is possible through one of the legally sanctioned online sportsbooks we’ve suggested in this guide created exclusively for Massachusetts residents. You’ll also learn about the laws and regulations regarding sports betting in the United States and how you can safely and legally place bets.
Most Reputable Online Sportsbooks Accepting Massachusetts Players In 2024
Paying attention to which online sportsbooks you place your bet(s) with is crucial for ensuring you aren’t breaking any laws and that you are accessing a safe and secure betting destination. The list of sportsbooks that we’ve provided below reflects our recommendations for Massachusetts residents.
Not only are these sportsbook legally sanctioned, but they are also the most reputable and trusted online sportsbook options specifically for Massachusetts residents. These offshore sportsbooks are outside the jurisdiction of Massachusetts state laws and any federal laws regarding US-based sportsbooks.
Site Name | Bonus Offer | Rating /100 | US Friendly | Visit Site |
---|---|---|---|---|
Bovada Sportsbook | 50% Max $1,000 | 97% | Yes | Play Now |
BetUS Sportsbook | 125% Max $3,125 | 95% | Yes | Play Now |
Bookmaker | 100% Max $500 | 95% | Yes | Play Now |
Mybookie | 50% Max $1,000 | 94% | Yes | Play Now |
Betonline | 50% Max $1,000 | 91% | Yes | Play Now |
Is Sports Betting Legal in Massachusetts As Of 2024?
Massachusetts state law has no language regarding sports betting in its legislation. While this may seem like a green light for sports wagering, there are some federal laws to consider to best understand the legal landscape.
While state and federal laws effectively outlaw state regulated sports betting both online and offline, none of those laws prohibit individuals from participating in licensed and regulated sports gambling at offshore sportsbooks that accept MA residents and are operating legally within the industry. As long as you select a legally sanctioned sportsbook, such as the ones listed in this guide, then it is not illegal for you to place sports wagers online.
How State and Federal Laws Regulate Sports Betting in Massachusetts
PASPA was passed in order to curtail the spread of legalized state regulated sports betting within the US. The Professional and Amateur Sports Protection Act (PASPA) of 1992 banned sports betting in 46 states—Massachusetts being one of them. Only four states were allowed to continue with their sports betting operations because they were already in place at the time of PASPA. These states are Delaware, Montana, Oregon and Nevada.
The Federal Wire Act bans placing bets online through US-based sportsbooks. The UIGEA deals with banks and their processing of transactions from online gambling. These laws only restrict US-based sportsbooks—think of Nevada-style sports betting and how those sportsbooks operate. The offshore sportsbooks we’ve recommended for Massachusetts residents aren’t US-based and therefore are outside the reach of PASPA, the Federal Wire Act and UIGEA.
Popular Sports Teams To Bet On In Massachusetts
The New England Patriots are currently the pinnacle of Massachusetts sports. The Patriots are about to play for their 5th Super Bowl Championship against the Atlanta Falcons.
The Boston Celtics are one of the most storied teams in the NBA and have won the Championship 17 times. The Boston Red Sox make up Massachusetts’ MLB presence and are also a legend of the sport with 8 World Series titles.
The Boston Bruins have won 6 Stanley Cups, making them one of the most successful teams in the NHL.
The New England Revolution are the region’s MLS representation, though they have yet to win a title.
NFL Teams in MA
NBA Teams in MA
MLB Teams in MA
NHL Teams in MA
MLS Teams in MA
FAQs About Betting On Sports
Can I Bet On Multiple Teams At Online Sportsbooks?
Yes. With the caliber of teams that Massachusetts has, betting on multiple teams is a popular option. These offshore sportsbooks offer betting on teams in all of the major professional sports leagues. You can even opt for what are called parlay bets, which are bets on multiple outcomes.
For example, you could bet on the Patriots, Celtics and Red Sox to all win their respective games. However, all the outcomes you bet on have to happen for you to win the wager.
How Do I Register For An Account If I Live In MA?
Once you pick the sportsbooks you’d like to bet with, all you have to do is enter some personal information in order to create your account. You won’t be asked about any financial information until you are ready to place a bet. You’re also free to browse the bets available to you before depositing any money into your account.
Are These Offshore Betting Sites Legal For Massachusetts Residents To Wager At?
Yes. These offshore sportsbooks are legally licensed and operated. There are no laws in Massachusetts stating that you cannot place a bet with an online sportsbook as long as it is outside US boundaries. These sportsbooks are tailored to US customers and provide a safe and legal way to bet on your favorite sports teams.
We only recommend sites that are legal for Massachusetts residents to use. All of your personal and financial information will be kept safe through secure servers.
How Do I Start Betting?
You have to have money in your sportsbook account in order to start betting. You can do this in one of several ways. Most sportsbooks offer credit/debit cards, wire transfers and Bitcoin (among others) as viable deposit methods. Again, you don’t have to deposit money to browse through the sportsbooks to see what is available to you, but you have to deposit money to successfully place a bet. You can keep track of your bets through your bet slip.
What Is A Bet Slip?
The bet slip is how you keep track of all the bets that you are placing. It’s usually in the top right of your screen and shows the bets you’ve placed as you place them. Some bet slips will show you how much you stand to win in relation to how much you bet. You can also cancel bets from the bet slip if you change your mind. However, once the betting closes on a certain bet, that bet is considered final.
Can I Bet On Teams Outside of My State?
Yes. If you would like to bet on other teams outside of the Massachusetts-based teams, you have that option. You can place bets on any team in any league. There are even bets on international sports and leagues, such as the English Premier League (soccer).
The flexibility of betting on teams outside of your area allows you to make the most of your bets in regards to certain matchups.
Can I Place Bets From My Mobile Phone or Tablet?
Absolutely. All of the sportsbook brands that we feature in this guide have integrated a web based mobile app to compliment their web offerings. These applications are really a mobile optimized version of their website, hence you have access to all of the same features and options as you do from your computer.
You can place bets (including live betting and in play betting), manage your account and get live updates for events. a
Are There Any Sports Teams in Massachusetts That Have A Shot At Winning A National Title in 2024?
Indeed. The New England Patriots are playing in Super Bowl LI and could very well be on their way to another title. The Boston Celtics going to be an interesting team to watch as the season progresses.
The Celtics are currently 2nd in the Eastern Conference and are three games behind the Cleveland Cavaliers. If they keep this up, they’ll clinch a playoff berth and could potentially play for a title.
The Bruins are currently in 3rd place of their division, so as it stands now they’ll be in the playoffs. The MBL season doesn’t kick off for some time, but the Red Sox are always a force to be reckoned with. The MLS is in the preseason right now, so it’s still a little too early to tell how their form will be throughout the season.