Massachusetts mobile sports betting has launched, as legal sportsbook apps across the Bay State went live at 10 a.m. ET on Friday.
Bettors inside Massachusetts are now able to wager legally online or by mobile phone through six licensed mobile apps on professional and college sports – just in time for the men’s and women’s NCAA basketball tournaments. Betting is also allowed on pro sports, eSports, and virtual sports events.
Massachusetts mobile sports betting apps launching Friday are DraftKings, BetMGM, Caesars, WynnBET, FanDuel, and Barstool.
Mass Sports Betting Apps
| Massachusetts Sports Betting App | 🚀 MA Launch Date |
|---|---|
| 📱FanDuel MA | March 2023 |
| 📱BetMGM MA | March 2023 |
| 📱Caesars MA | March 2023 |
| 📱Fanatics Sportsbook MA | May 2023 |
| 📱DraftKings MA | March 2023 |
| 📱ESPN Bet MA | November 2023 |
| 📱Bally Bet MA | July 2024 |
Most operators launching today are partnered with the commonwealth’s three casinos: BetMGM is partnered with MGM Springfield; Caesars and WynnBET with Encore Boston Harbor; and Barstool (Penn Sports Interactive) with Plainridge Park Casino (PPC). The others – FanDuel and DraftKings – are operating on their own.
Four additional mobile sportsbooks – Betr, Betway, BallyBet, and Fanatics (also partnered with PCC) – are also licensed and on the way to Massachusetts. But they won’t launch Friday. Regulators with the Massachusetts Gaming Commission (MGC) announced Wednesday that Betr will not go live Friday as previously expected. BallyBet and Fanatics are not scheduled to launch until sometime in May.
Super Group-owned Betway is not expected to launch its mobile app in Massachusetts until 2024.
Mobile Launch Second Part of Mass Sports Betting Rollout
Mobile sports betting is the second phase of a Massachusetts rollout that began with the launch of retail sportsbooks at the commonwealth’s three casinos on Jan. 31.
Altogether, nine sportsbooks are now live in Massachusetts as of Friday, including six mobile apps and three retail sportsbooks. Additional sportsbooks, including those now postponed and others tied to horse race simulcast facilities in Massachusetts, are expected to launch in the future.
The MGC staggered the commonwealth’s retail and mobile launch to allow retail sportsbooks at the three casinos to enter the market first. The casinos were the first to bring expanded gaming to Massachusetts under a 2011 state law.
Sports betting came to the commonwealth this year under a 2022 law signed by then-Gov. Charlie Baker on Aug. 10 exactly seven months ago.
The Massachusetts sports betting market overall is expected to generate at least $60 million for the state annually, with mobile bets taxed at 20 percent and retail at 15 percent.
Is Betting on College Sports Allowed in Massachusetts?
Selection Sunday is two days away, and yes, bettors in Massachusetts are allowed to get action down on the Big Dance.
Just don’t expect to see Massachusetts college teams on in-state betting apps or at the state’s three retail sportsbooks outside of tournament play. State regulation prohibits it. MGC regulations also prohibit any proposition bets on college athletes.
Proposition bets on player injuries, disciplinary actions, and officiating calls are also banned across the board in Massachusetts. No bets are allowed on when a first penalty flag will be thrown in an NFL game, or how many fouls will be called in an all-star game, for example.
Also banned is betting on sports and athletic events in which the final outcome is dependent on a judge or panel of judges.
Plenty of Mass Betting Options Ahead
There are plenty of legal sports betting options available in the Bay State. Massachusetts has a complete catalog of bets permitted throughout March Madness, into the 2023 NFL Draft, the NBA and NHL Playoffs, and beyond.
That’s right. Sports betting is allowed in Massachusetts on approved league drafts.
Keep in mind that Massachusetts takes responsible gaming seriously. No one under age 21 can bet on sports under state law. Bettors may set wagering limits through licensed sportsbooks, or self-exclude themselves from betting as needed. Additionally, all licensed sportsbook advertisements must include a state helpline number and related responsible gaming messaging.
The Massachusetts Problem Gambling Helpline is reachable at (800) 327-5050. Additional information can be found by visiting the MA Problem Gambling Helpline website at https://gamblinghelplinema.org.
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