Legal Massachusetts Sports Betting Sites
Legal Massachusetts sports betting sites are not necessarily new, but the heightened attention to the industry has left residents with questions. The population may only be about 7 million, but it is more than 6-times of neighboring Rhode Island—which was one of the first states to launch a regulated sports betting market. Massachusetts is also the home base for the majority of teams that reign supreme in the New England area, including the Boston Celtics, Boston Red Sox, and the New England Patriots. Being a comparatively more populous state with a presumably larger fanbase, it makes sense that a regulated sports gambling environment would thrive in Massachusetts.
While locals will have to wait on visiting state-licensed sportsbooks, the same options for sports wagering are still on the table. Residents have been using legal betting sites that are based offshore in order to get the latest odds on all of the teams that they root for throughout the year. If you are wondering why all of the legal MA sportsbooks are technically based offshore, you have come to the right place. The best way to judge where to bet on sports online in the state is to first understand the laws and overall legality of sports betting in Massachusetts.
Massachusetts Sports Betting Laws
Although Massachusetts is on the path to legalizing sports wagering, there are currently no laws on the books that regulate sports gambling in the state. That being said, there is plenty to be learned from Massachusetts laws in regards to general gambling. According to Massachusetts law, Chapter 271 section 1, gambling is defined as winning $5 or more by gaming or betting on sides or hands of those gaming. According to Chapter 128A Section 1of the law, licensed horse racing and on-track pari-mutuel wagering is legal. This law also allows for greyhound races to happen in the state as well. The key takeaway from both regulations is that sports betting is not specifically mentioned, which is why offshore sites have increased in popularity over the years.
The Legality Of Sports Betting In Massachusetts
Right now, land-based sports wagering is not allowed in Massachusetts. There are, however, several bills that plan to change that. The House and Senate have proposals that would require the state to study other states that have legal sports betting to learn how to implement it in Massachusetts. There are also bills that are up that would go ahead and legalize sports wagering in the state. The bills that plan to add sports wagering to the state are: MA HB 372, MA HB 373, MA SB 903, MA SB 908, MA SB 1110, MA HB 68, and MA SB 882.
Current laws do not restrict you from wagering on sports online. The laws are meant to prosecute those who would operate sportsbooks in the state. Since offshore sportsbooks are based in different countries, they are out of reach from Massachusetts laws and allow for you to safely bet on sports on those websites.
Where To Legally Bet On Sports In Massachusetts
Massachusetts has not yet joined the increasing number of states that have legal sports wagering. This means that there are no land-based options in the Bay State that you can go to and place your bets on a Celtics game. But that doesn’t mean there are no options for residents available. If you go to an offshore online sportsbook, there is plenty of action to go around. Even when Massachusetts does legalize sports gambling, these offshore options are going to be available for you. So, head to one of your favorite offshore sites and make some easy money by betting on your favorite Boston teams.
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Legal Age To Bet On Sports In Massachusetts
Like most other states in the country, you have to be 21 years old or older to participate in most forms of gambling while you are in Massachusetts. But, you can begin making bets on horse races when you turn 18. The question is, which age do you need to be for sports betting? For the sake of being safe, you should wait until you are 21 to bet on sports. Offshore sportsbooks start taking in players when they turn 18, but the websites abide by state law. If you make a mistake and assume that you can bet on sports when you are 18, you can potentially lose your winnings or get banned from the website.
Massachusetts Sports Betting FAQ's
Are Online Sportsbooks Safe To Use If You Live Massachusetts?
Online sportsbooks are not only the safest method to bet on sports if you live in Massachusetts, but it is also the only method to wager on sports. Until Massachusetts regulates and legalizes state-licensed sportsbooks, using an offshore sportsbook is the best way for you to get into the action, outside of making a road trip to Rhode Island.
Has Anyone Been Arrested For Sports Betting In Massachusetts?
Rest assured that not you or anyone else will be arrested for sports betting in Massachusetts. Now, if you and your friends are making bets and someone is operating like a sportsbook, they could potentially get in trouble for bookmaking as it is against the law. But as long as you are a casual bettor using an offshore site, you are in the clear.
What Is The Best Way To Fund Your Massachusetts Sports Betting Account?
You can fund your account in a number of different ways at the legal Massachusetts sports betting sites that are based overseas. You can go ahead and use either your Visa or Mastercard to deposit money. Other options include cryptocurrencies, money orders, checks, bank wires, and MoneyGram.
Do Massachusetts Sports Betting Sites Have Odds On Football?
Patriots fans should rejoice because Massachusetts betting sites have all the best lines available on football. If you go to a couple of different offshore websites, you can see that they all have lines on all football games that you would want to bet on. When the Patriots make it to the next Super Bowl, you can bet that Massachusetts sports betting sites will offer you the best odds to wager on the Pats.
Can I Bet From My Mobile Phone In Massachusetts?
You can absolutely bet from your mobile device when you are in Massachusetts. The offshore sportsbooks all have web apps available, meaning these websites become optimized for your mobile device. You will get the same action on your mobile device that you would normally get on your browser. So you can head to Cape Cod beaches and relax on in front of the ocean while you place your sports bets on your mobile device.
Can I Have More Than One Online Sportsbook Account In Massachusetts?
There are no rules against you having more than one account when you are using Massachusetts betting sites. In fact, it is probably better for you to have multiple accounts. If you have multiple accounts, you can browse each website for the best lines and potentially win more money than you would if you only had one account.
Betting On Horse Racing In Massachusetts
There are plenty of laws in Massachusetts that regard horse racing. Some of the laws include (* *) that you cannot place a bet on a race if there are fewer than six people betting on thoroughbreds. All of these rules mean that if you are a fan of horse races and you are in Massachusetts, then you are in luck because the state has plenty to offer for you. Horse racing is regulated by the Division of Racing in Massachusetts. If you are looking for Thoroughbred style of horse racing, your best bet is to head to Suffolk Downs. Here, you will be able to watch and bet on live horse races throughout the day. Not only that, but you can also bet on races around the country because Suffolk Downs offers simulcasts on races as well.
Plainridge Park Casino also has you covered when it comes to horse racing betting. The casino also houses a harness racing track where you can enjoy live races but also accepts wagers on races happening at other major racetracks as well. If you cannot make it out to the track, or simply want the chance to take advantage of mobile betting and huge rebates, online racebooks are the way to go.
The Status Of Daily Fantasy Sports In Massachusetts
If you are a resident in Massachusetts, you might be enjoying daily fantasy sports (DFS) through sites like FanDuel or DraftKings. Even though you might be doing that, DFS is currently not regulated by the state. Massachusetts tried to pass RI HB 7825 in 2018 which would have allowed the state to regulate DFS in Massachusetts, but it ultimately failed. That doesn’t mean that DFS is now illegal in Massachusetts. All this really means is that DFS operators do not have to answer to Massachusetts government on how they operate within the state. Even if lawmakers do eventually enact DFS regulations, it is unlikely that it would affect how you are currently using those websites. Those interested in fantasy contests can continue using DFS sites as much as you want without any concerns of legality.