MA Gambling 101: Is it legal to gamble in Massachusetts?
As with any US state, the MA gambling scene is fairly complex. While traditional horse racing and greyhound racing have been a permanent fixture for some time, online casino action still remains prohibited. With that being said, retail casinos have been around since 2015, and the recent launch of sports betting will appeal to many.
Legal ways to gamble in Massachusetts
As you can see, while not all forms of gambling are yet to be legalized across the Bay State, there are a fair number of ways for you to enjoy gambling in MA. We take a closer look at the current options in this next section.
1. State lottery: Despite various back-and-forths surrounding the MA State lottery, it is legally available to all residents over the age of 18. With that being said, any entrants looking to purchase tickets can only do so in person, as the option to purchase tickets through the official Massachusetts lottery website has been halted.
2. Sports betting: The most recent addition to Mass gambling is met with open arms by all sports fans. Since January 2023, you have been able to head to a Massachusetts sports betting retail establishment and enjoy placing bets on your favorite sports teams. The recent launch of mobile wagering only adds to the experience, allowing players to register, redeem, and enjoy streams of markets from some of the biggest names across the industry.
3. Daily Fantasy Sports: Pre-PASPA, daily fantasy sports brought a form of sports betting action to the Bay State, allowing players to build rosters of their favorite players. DFS was considered to offer games of skill, not luck; however, it was soon prohibited after the initial temporary bill came to an end in 2016. After a significant spell where DFS was absent, the popular alternative to sports betting is now officially legalized, allowing players to become “coach” and build their teams once more.
4. Retail casinos: Although online casinos are still prohibited across the state, players with an interest in slots, roulette, baccarat, and craps can still grab a taste of the action in person. When looking at the retail casino market, you’ll find three establishments providing the full casino experience. All MA casinos have been approved by the MGC, and some also offer complete retail sports betting markets.
5. Sweepstakes casinos: Although not strictly classed as gambling, sweepstakes casinos are classed as legal in the state of MA. These casinos provide players with the chance to play casino-style games for free, using virtual currencies. Gold Coins allow you to play for fun, while Sweepstakes Coins allow you to play for the chance to convert your wins into cash prizes.
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What is the legal age to gamble in Massachusetts?
Alongside the varied laws surrounding the different forms of gambling in MA, you’ll find that the legal age for gambling in Massachusetts ranges across the board, too. In this next section, we’ll take a little look at the differences between them and highlight exactly how old you’ll need to be to play.
At the time of writing, those looking to join any mobile sports betting site and bet on DFS or professional and college sports will need to be at least 21 years of age. Similarly, when visiting a retail casino, you’ll need to bring identification that confirms you are over the age of 21. When looking at online casino alternatives, you will find that the complete sweepstakes experience is open to those aged 18 and above. The MA state lottery also takes a similar approach.
Mass online gambling: A look at the top online sportsbooks today
With all bases now thoroughly covered and an understanding of legal ages under your belt, it’s time for us to offer up a quick rundown of what to expect from the six online sportsbooks that have recently launched across MA.
DraftKings: DraftKings has been a fixture across Bay State since 2015. Of course, back then, they were only legally allowed to offer their DFS products. Fast-forward to 2023, and you’ll now be able to take advantage of an intriguing welcome bonus that allows you to bet $5 and receive $200 in bonus bets without ever having to enter a DraftKings Massachusetts promo code.
Beyond the chance to release a fantastic welcome bonus, you’ll also find various ongoing promotions available to use across the sportsbook. When looking closer at the sports betting options, you’ll find both pre-match and live markets come in abundance, covering all sorts of sports. From the collegiate level to elite-level competitions, you’ll be able to live stream and make use of various in-play stats to build your bets.
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BetMGM: Another established name that has opened its doors in MA is BetMGM. The respected online operator is home to a colossal range of sports, allowing all Bay State bettors the chance to predict the outcomes of 100s of popular events.
Alongside a whole host of sports, you’ll find a great variety of betting markets that extend far beyond the obvious moneylines, spreads, and totals. Plus, as a new member of BetMGM, you’ll also be presented with the chance to release a first bet offer of up to $1000.
FanDuel: Since 2016, FanDuel has cemented itself as an MA favorite. Apart from its DFS products, you’ll now see a full lineup of sports betting opportunities, including over 100 additional betting markets on all elite leagues and competitions.
To add to your new customer experience, you’ll find a sizable welcome bonus is being offered. A full rundown of the redemption process can be found in our latest FanDuel Massachusetts promo code review. However, the real perks of joining FanDuel go beyond any bonus or promotion. As it’s an official partner of the NFL, NBA, NHL, and MLB, its customers can live stream many popular fixtures, place bets in play, and benefit from some of the best odds around.
Caesars: The Caesars sportsbook app looks to encourage new players on-site with an impressive first bet offer of up to $1,500. However, the perks and rewards don’t end there. At Caesars, you’ll find Caesars Rewards – a loyalty program that presents loyal players with the chance to build up points that can later be exchanged for bonus bets, lunches, and hotel stays.
The sportsbook is exceedingly simple to use, too. You’ll find all major sports are located across the top of the screen, allowing you to locate upcoming fixtures and build your bets within a few clicks. As an official partner of the NFL, NHL, and NBA, it always gives you up-to-date stats and facts to help with those in-play wagers.
Barstool: The battle of the best sports betting bonuses continues at Barstool. Here, you’ll find that all new customers will receive a first bet offer of up to $1,000. This bonus promises to reimburse your first losing wager with bonus bets of equivalent value. The bonus itself can be used on any sports betting market, bar those involving Massachusetts-based collegiate teams outside of a tournament.
The sportsbook is equally as impressive, providing a whole host of betting markets across popular sports and leagues, including the MLB, NBA, NFL, and NHL. Plus, you’ll also find a fair range of pre-match and in-play options for a few niche sports, such as Australian rules and lacrosse.
WynnBet: This is the last of the first six operators to provide online gambling in MA, and anyone wondering whether there’s a WynnBet Massachusetts promo code will be interested to hear about this bonus. All new patrons can expect to capitalize on the “bet $100, get $100” welcome bonus and a slick mobile experience. As the name suggests, you’ll be required to place a wager of $100 to release $100 in bonus bets to use across a range of major sports.
Alongside coverage of American football, baseball, basketball, and hockey, you’ll find ample markets for lesser-wagered sports like MMA, boxing, and tennis. Thanks to the intuitive design of the app, you’ll be able to build your bets in seconds and take advantage of fast transactions from credible payment providers, too.
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Alternative ways to enjoy online casino action in MA
While online sports betting looks to be coming into its own, the legal situation surrounding real money online casino action does not look as though it’ll be altering any time soon. With that being said, online casino enthusiasts in MA do have alternative options available.
What is a sweepstakes casino?
Sweepstakes casinos fall under a different legal header to real money online gambling, as they provide games of skill, not luck. They can also be played without ever making a purchase, while still presenting players with the chance of converting their SC for cash prizes.
In order to play at a sweepstakes casino, you’ll need to release Gold Coins (GC) and Sweepstakes Coins (SC). These coins hold different qualities and can be unlocked in various ways.
Gold Coins are the play-for-fun coin, allowing you to test the water of any casino game risk-free. They hold no real-world value and cannot later be converted into prizes. You’ll find that you can release GC as part of a bonus or make a real money purchase.
Sweepstakes Coins allow you to play with the chance of redeeming real-world prizes. You can play on promotional titles in the hopes of building up your pot. Once you have reached a certain limit, you’ll be able to begin the prize conversion process. Often, your SC can be redeemed for cash prizes, gift vouchers, or Gold Coins.
Find a safe space for online gambling in MA today
There are various ways for you to legally gamble in MA. While many of the options require you to visit specific locations in person, six legal online sportsbooks have recently launched across the state. We found that some of these online sportsbooks have simply extended their DFS offerings; however, some are completely new to MA.
Although real-money online gambling in Massachusetts is limited to sports and DFS, online casino alternatives are available. These sweepstakes casinos allow you to play for free while still presenting you with the chance to leave with real-world prizes. Whether you are a resident or regular visitor to the Bay State, we suggest bookmarking this page and tracking back to keep up to date on the latest position on MA gambling.
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MA Gambling FAQ
🔓︎ Is it legal to gamble in MA
The MA gambling scene is relatively complex, featuring different laws and legislation for each form of gambling. For example, sports betting is legal in Massachusetts at retail establishments and on the go through mobile sites and applications. However, online casinos are only available in person. You can find out more in this latest guide.
📱How do I register at a legal sportsbook in MA?
Mobile sports betting launched on March 10th. Since then, six top sportsbooks have gone live. In this latest guide, we look at the MA gambling scene as a whole. However, you’ll find out exactly which sportsbooks are available and worth registering with, too.
🏀 Can I bet on the NCAAB in MA?
Online gambling in MA allows for an extended catalog of markets to become available. While both college and professional fixtures are legal to wager on in MA, the six online sportsbooks that have recently launched will be able to extend far beyond the traditional moneylines, spreads, and totals offered by retail sportsbooks. Find out more in this latest guide.
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