Online gambling in Massachusetts centres on legal sports betting, pari-mutuel horse racing and daily fantasy, online casino and poker aren’t legal here. This guide covers what’s legal, who’s licensed by the Massachusetts Gaming Commission, and how to get started.
Massachusetts is one of the most productive sports betting markets in the country relative to its size. Online wagering launched in March 2023, and despite having just seven mobile sportsbooks, fewer than most big states, the Bay State’s passionate sports culture keeps handle high: bettors wager hundreds of millions of dollars a month, and the market generated roughly $150 million in revenue in fiscal 2025. This guide covers what’s legal, the rules that make Massachusetts distinctive, and how to get started.
In this article 14 sections
- Is online gambling legal in Massachusetts?
- What you can play in Massachusetts
- Online gambling in Massachusetts by the numbers
- Massachusetts rules you should know
- The best Massachusetts sportsbooks
- Popular bets and Massachusetts sports
- How the Massachusetts market has grown
- Bet types explained
- How to start betting in Massachusetts
- Will Massachusetts legalize online casino?
- Responsible gambling in Massachusetts
- Massachusetts sports betting FAQ
- Legal options in Massachusetts
- Online Casinos in Massachusetts
Is online gambling legal in Massachusetts?
Yes. Massachusetts passed its Sports Wagering Act in August 2022; retail sportsbooks opened on 31 January 2023 and mobile betting followed on 10 March 2023, regulated by the Massachusetts Gaming Commission (MGC). You must be 21 or older and physically located in Massachusetts to bet, confirmed by geolocation. Real-money online casino (iGaming) is not legal here, though lawmakers periodically debate it.
What you can play in Massachusetts
- Massachusetts betting apps: mobile betting on every major sport from seven licensed operators.
- Daily fantasy sports: legal in Massachusetts through DraftKings, FanDuel, PrizePicks, Underdog and Sleeper.
- betting on horses in Massachusetts: pari-mutuel wagering for Massachusetts bettors via licensed ADW apps.
- Online casino: not yet legal in Massachusetts, see the outlook below.
Online gambling in Massachusetts by the numbers
| Metric | Latest figure |
|---|---|
| Launched | Retail 31 Jan 2023; online 10 March 2023 |
| Tax rate | 20% online, 15% retail (on gross revenue) |
| FY2025 revenue | About $150.7 million (up from $117.4m in FY2024) |
| Online share | ~92% of all wagers |
| Operators | 7 mobile sportsbooks |
| Online casino | Not legal |
| Minimum age | 21+ |
Massachusetts rules you should know
Massachusetts pairs a moderate tax with strict consumer rules. Online revenue is taxed at 20% and retail at 15%, with proceeds split across the General Fund, local aid, workforce training, public health and youth programs. Crucially for bettors, you cannot bet on in-state college teams such as UMass or Boston College unless they are playing in a tournament, and individual college-athlete award futures are barred. The MGC also bans credit-card deposits and enforces geolocation aggressively. Tax-hike proposals (one as high as 51%) and a bill to ban in-play betting have been floated but not passed, so the framework could tighten.
The best Massachusetts sportsbooks
Massachusetts has seven licensed operators: BetMGM, Caesars, DraftKings, Fanatics, FanDuel and theScore Bet (which replaced ESPN BET), plus Bally Bet. Of the books we work with and can verify, FanDuel operates in Massachusetts, strong on app quality and same-game parlays. The market is smaller than most, so compare the live offers on this page before signing up.
See terms and codes on our promo codes page or the full Massachusetts sportsbook guide.
Popular bets and Massachusetts sports
Bay State bettors play the standard markets, moneylines (who wins), point spreads (the margin), totals (over/under) and increasingly parlays and same-game parlays. Local loyalty drives huge volume on the Patriots, Celtics, Bruins and Red Sox, with the NFL leading handle and the NBA and MLB close behind. Just remember the college rule: you can back national college teams and tournament games, but not regular-season bets on in-state programs like Boston College or UMass.
How the Massachusetts market has grown
For a state of its size, Massachusetts is bigger than its size suggests. The market followed the 2022 Sports Wagering Act and has grown fast: monthly handle climbed from around $315 million in its early months to north of $600 million during the 2025 football season, and the state set a monthly tax record of about $16 million in November 2024. By mid-2025 Massachusetts had collected roughly $294 million in total taxes and fees since launch, a remarkable haul from just seven operators, proof that a smaller, well-run market can rival much larger ones.
The operator field is anchored by DraftKings, which is headquartered in Boston, alongside FanDuel, BetMGM, Caesars, Fanatics, theScore Bet and Bally Bet. The MGC runs one of the strictest regimes in the country, with a roughly $1 million annual licence fee, in-person vetting and an ongoing debate over whether operators should be allowed to limit winning bettors. That oversight, plus the statewide GameSense responsible-gambling program, makes Massachusetts one of the more tightly regulated, and consumer-protective, markets in the US.
Bet types explained
Most Massachusetts bettors get by with a few wager types. In Massachusetts the moneyline backs a winner straight up, the Patriots, for instance, and a point spread adds a margin to balance favorite and underdog. A Massachusetts totals bet shifts the focus to combined scoring, parlays reward Massachusetts players who tie several picks together on one slip (every leg must hit), same-game parlays do that within a single the Patriots fixture, and futures plus live betting round out the Massachusetts menu as the odds move during play.
How to start betting in Massachusetts
Signing up in Massachusetts is quick, be 21+ and inside Massachusetts, pick a licensed Massachusetts sportsbook, and create an account with accurate information for verification. After opting into the Massachusetts promo and depositing, set your limits, place your first Massachusetts bet, and cash out whenever the offer’s Massachusetts conditions are satisfied.
Will Massachusetts legalize online casino?
Not yet. With sports betting maturing and neighbouring states earning far more from iGaming, online casino comes up regularly on Beacon Hill, but no bill has passed and concerns about cannibalizing the state’s three casinos remain. For now, only sports betting, DFS and horse racing are legal online here, and the safest path is to stick with the seven MGC-licensed sportsbooks rather than any unregulated offshore site.
For the full picture, see our Massachusetts online casino guide, which tracks whether and when real-money iGaming might reach Massachusetts.
One practical note for Massachusetts bettors: because the licensed apps share the same regulator, the real differences between them in Massachusetts come down to pricing on the markets you actually bet, the speed of withdrawals, and how fair the welcome terms are once you read past the headline. It is worth holding two or three Massachusetts accounts so you can line-shop, and worth revisiting this page over time, since operators, promotions and the rules around Massachusetts betting all shift from season to season.
Responsible gambling in Massachusetts
Keep Massachusetts betting in proportion: it is entertainment in Massachusetts, and your stake should be money you can afford to lose. Use the limit, time-out and self-exclusion controls every licensed Massachusetts app provides, and set them up front rather than mid-streak. Help for Massachusetts bettors is free and confidential 24/7 on 1-800-GAMBLER.
Massachusetts sports betting FAQ
1. Is online sports betting legal in Massachusetts?
Yes. Online sports betting launched on 10 March 2023, regulated by the Massachusetts Gaming Commission. You must be 21+ and physically in Massachusetts to bet.
2. Is online casino legal in Massachusetts?
No. Real-money online casino games are not legal in Massachusetts, only sports betting, DFS and horse racing. iGaming is debated but no bill has passed.
3. Can I bet on Boston College or UMass?
Not during the regular season. Massachusetts prohibits betting on in-state college teams unless they are competing in a tournament, and bars individual college-athlete award futures.
4. What is the sports betting tax rate in Massachusetts?
20% on online revenue and 15% on retail, split across the General Fund, local aid, workforce training, public health and youth programs.
5. Which sportsbook is best in Massachusetts?
Of our partners, FanDuel operates in Massachusetts and leads on app quality and same-game parlays. The state also licenses DraftKings, BetMGM, Caesars, Fanatics, theScore Bet and Bally Bet.
6. Do I have to live in Massachusetts to bet?
No, you just need to be physically inside Massachusetts when you place a bet, confirmed by geolocation.
7. Are prediction markets like Kalshi legal in Massachusetts?
Prediction markets such as Kalshi are open to Massachusetts residents because they count as federal financial contracts rather than Massachusetts sports betting. That keeps them national even where Massachusetts limits books, but it is genuinely unresolved, courts backed Kalshi against state regulators in 2026 and appeals continue. Massachusetts players should see them as a different, CFTC-governed product.
8. Are sweepstakes casinos legal in Massachusetts?
Sweepstakes casinos like Chumba, LuckyLand and Stake.us reach Massachusetts adults through a virtual-currency model designed to sit outside Massachusetts gambling licensing. That leaves Massachusetts players in a grey area with weaker safeguards than a regulated site, one regulators keep testing, so use them cautiously in Massachusetts.
9. Is daily fantasy sports (DFS) legal in Massachusetts?
Yes, daily fantasy sports operate in Massachusetts as a contest-based activity separate from Massachusetts sportsbook wagering. DraftKings and FanDuel lead the Massachusetts field, joined by pick’em apps PrizePicks, Underdog and Sleeper.
10. Can I bet on horse racing online in Massachusetts?
Yes. Pari-mutuel horse racing is open to Massachusetts residents through licensed ADW apps such as TVG (FanDuel Racing), TwinSpires and AmWager, covering tracks nationwide and separate from the Massachusetts sportsbook.
11. Can I deposit with a credit card in Massachusetts?
No. The MGC bans credit-card funding of betting accounts, so use a debit card, bank transfer or PayPal.
12. Where can I get help for a gambling problem in Massachusetts?
Help in Massachusetts is free, confidential and available 24/7, call or text 1-800-GAMBLER, or use the deposit limits, cool-off periods and self-exclusion tools in every licensed Massachusetts app. Nobody in Massachusetts has to be in crisis to reach out.
21+. Must be physically located in Massachusetts. Gambling problem in Massachusetts? Call 1-800-GAMBLER.
Legal options in Massachusetts
- Massachusetts sports betting
- Massachusetts horse betting
Online Casinos in Massachusetts
You can play casino games in Massachusetts, but online casino in the state are not yet legal. Much of Massachusetts’ famed landmarks were at least partially built on funds derived from gambling. To this day, the Old Colony State boasts a thriving gambling scene. You can find classic casino games in Massachusetts, such as blackjack, poker rooms, and even a slot parlor, but you don’t have access to any legal state online casino sites. While it’s legal to play casino games, you are only permitted to do so with land-based casinos, resorts, and parlors in the home of Harvard University.
Online Casino Sites in Massachusetts
Massachusetts online casino sites are illegal. As it stands, Massachusetts hasn’t made online casino gaming legal, and so you’re currently not allowed to sign-up to and play at such gambling sites. For as much as the Bay State is one of the more open to casino gaming, it continues to take a slow approach to introducing, establishing, and legalizing newly available forms of gambling. Based on the current laws in Massachusetts and the overall market in states nearby DraftKings, BetMGM, Caesars and FanDuel are among the first casinos expected to go live in the state in 2025. MA Casino Sites/Apps Expected in 2025:
- DraftKings Casino
- BetMGM Casino
- bet365 Casino
- BetRivers
- Caesars Casino
- FanDuel Casino
Massachusetts Sweepstakes Online Casinos 2025
Residents of Massachusetts can legally enjoy casino-style games through social casinos, often referred to as sweepstakes casinos. These platforms allow players to play games for free using gold coins or upgrade to sweeps coins to compete for prizes like gift cards, merchandise, and even cash. While no real money is wagered, the games offer the same thrill and entertainment as traditional casinos. Players must be at least 18 years of age to play at the following social casinos:
- BetRivers.net
- WOW Vegas Casino
- McLuck Casino
- Pulz Casino
- Stake.us Casino
- NoLimit Coins Casino
- FunRize Casino
- RealPrize.com Casino
- Pulsz Casino
- New Legendz Casino
- LuckyLand Slots
- Fortune Coins Casino
- Gambino Slots
- Funzpoints Casino
: The sister site to BetRivers.com sportsbook and casino, BetRivers.net offers over 650 slots and more than 30 table games. Players can also engage in virtual sports betting, with options like moneylines, spreads, totals, and futures.
WOW Vegas Casino: WOW Vegas Casino features over 800 slot games and welcomes new players with 1.5 million WOW coins and 35 sweepstakes coins for free. Top-tier software providers, including Pragmatic Play and Betsoft Gaming, power their extensive game library.
McLuck Casino: Launched in 2023, McLuck Casino offers more than 500 games from leading developers, including slots and a live dealer studio. Players can earn free gold coins every time they log in, making it an engaging option for Massachusetts players. If you or someone you know has a gambling problem, call 1-800-GAMBLER.
Best Online Casino Games in Massachusetts
Online casino games in Massachusetts are illegal. As you’d expect from a state where online casino websites aren’t allowed, you aren’t presently permitted to play real-money online casino games in Massachusetts. That said, the state is clearly quite open to all forms of casino games, with the resorts, slot parlors, and planned tribal casinos showcasing the whole range of land-based casino games. For now, though, you can’t play at the best online casino in Massachusetts.
Casino Apps in Massachusetts
Massachusetts online casino apps are illegal. Almost all reputable online casinos offer a mobile app that contains the majority of their games and promotions. However, as Massachusetts online casino sites haven’t been legalized, neither have mobile casino apps in the Bay State. Some states appear to make a distinction between online casino in Massachusetts and mobile casino gaming, but usually, the two are bundled together if either form of remote gambling is legalized.
Top Land-based Casinos in Massachusetts
Casino games in Massachusetts can be played in several venues. There’s still a lot to sort out if the Mashpee Wampanoag Tribe and Wampanoag Tribe of Gay Head are to get their casinos, but the state does have other venues. In Everett, you’ll find the Encore Boston Harbour resort casino, with the MGM Springfield resort casino being all the way on the other side of the state. You can also find a slot parlor in Plainville.
Bonuses in Massachusetts
Online casino bonuses in Massachusetts cannot be claimed right now. As it’s illegal for you to sign-up and play with real money at an online casino in the region, you’re also not permitted to claim their welcome bonuses or promotions. The top bonuses aren’t available in the state right now. Until you’re allowed to play at an online casino in Massachusetts, you can’t claim the best bonuses on offer. Should the Bay State’s law change to allow online casinos, be sure to check back with American.bet to claim the best offers.
FAQ
Get some more of your Massachusetts casino gaming questions answered right here!
What rate does the IRS tax my Massachusetts gambling winnings by?
The IRS considers your gambling winnings as taxable income at a flat rate of 24 percent.
What is the Legal Gambling Age in Massachusetts?
The Massachusetts legal casino gambling age is 21-years-old. To play casino games like slots, roulette, blackjack, or poker, you need to be at least 21-years-old in the state. For other Massachusetts gambling activities, like bingo and the lottery, you only need to be 18-years-old.
When will the Massachusetts tribal casino open?
The First Light Casino project in Taunton is back on, but an opening date is yet to be confirmed.