Legal Sports Betting For Massachusetts Residents
Legal sports betting in Massachusetts is available online, but there are no options for you to bet in person at this time. You just have to know where to find legal sports betting sites that accept Massachusetts residents. Currently, there is only one form of legal Massachusetts sports betting, and that can be found at offshore sportsbooks. Local bookies are not licensed by the state, and the closest regulated sportsbooks would require a drive across state lines. The most convenient and flexible way to wager is via the internet. On this page, we go over everything you need to know about legal sports betting in Massachusetts.
We have done the legwork for you and found some of the best online sportsbooks in your state. The legal sports betting sites we have listed on this page are a solid choice for your bets. Those who live in the state of Massachusetts will find that there are many legal offshore sportsbooks operating for players in the state, so options are never limited. We also provide information on the legality of sports betting in Massachusetts. We go over the laws in the state, federal laws, and even legal gambling ages. New to online betting? Check out our FAQ section. Everything you need to know about legal Massachusetts sports betting and how it works is here on this page.
Is It Now Legal To Bet On Sports In Massachusetts?
Now that the Supreme Court ruling on PASPA has overturned the federal ban on sports betting, residents want to know what this means for legal sports betting in Massachusetts. The Bay State is expected to become another prime location for New England sports betting. Many representatives and senators have expressed that sports gambling will be a main priority for MA moving forward, especially with DraftKings opening their headquarters in Boston. Before you know it, there could be land-based sports betting options at Plainridge Park Casino, MGM Springfield, and Encore Boston Harbor. Even though there may be a wait on state-licensed sportsbooks, sports enthusiasts can still use top offshore sites like Bovada, BetOnline, and SportsBetting.
Yes, online sports betting is legal in Massachusetts but only if you are using offshore sportsbooks. This is because there are no laws in the state that touches on gambling online or sports betting in general. Residents can bet on sports to their heart’s content in the state of MA so long as they are using online, offshore sportsbooks. The reason they need to be located overseas is because of the federal sports betting laws in the US that only affect local sportsbooks.
Sports Betting Laws in Massachusetts
There are no sports betting laws in the Massachusetts Penal Code, which means MA sports betting lives in a legal grey area. While there are no state laws preventing sports betting, there are a couple of federal ones, so to remain within your legal rights, we suggest you bet on sports exclusively at online, offshore sportsbooks. Because the state penal code in Massachusetts is silent on the subject of wagers made via the Internet, sports betting on your computer using an Internet connection should not land you in any trouble.
No one in the state of Massachusetts has ever been charged, arrested, or convicted of a crime after betting on sports online. This is because there are no laws that prevent the use of online gambling sites, making the act of online sports betting in Massachusetts safe. In addition to there being no state precedent with which to press charges, there are also no federal ones, either. Each federal sports betting law in effect is targeted at the person taking the wagers or operating the sportsbooks. Nothing in the law actually prevents betting – so in theory, you should never go to jail for online sports betting in Massachusetts.
Bovada Sportsbook is a legal sports wagering website which can be accessed through mobile devices with internet capabilities. They have bets for a number of events from sports to politics to entertainment from a worldwide level. With plenty of methods for deposits and withdrawals, betting with Bovada is made easy. Promotions are also part of the deal with a new member bonus of a 50% match on the first deposit made to an account equaling up to $250 in freeplays.
BetOnline Sportsbook is one of the top sports wagering platforms on the internet. BetOnline offers members a wide range of events to gamble on from sports to world events. Although they are a website they are available on mobile devices that have the internet. They are also number one for promotional offers with a welcome bonus of a 50% match on a new member’s first deposit up to $1000 with the promo code BOL1000.
Massachusetts is a state full of champions. The Boston Celtics have won many titles and the New England Patriots have been a team that grabs titles as well. Fans here need to know that betting on their hometown teams is the best thing to do and having a MyBookie account is very important. Their hometown team games are all on this sportsbook and there are many bets for each game as well. The live betting feature is one of the best because it also offers more bets during the games so this means more money can be won. This state is full of championship teams so fans here need to check out MyBookie so they can win more money along with games!
When it comes to betting on sports in Massachusetts, there are some federal laws that majorly impact how and where it can be done. The first is the Wire Act, which was passed in 1961. In an effort to allow states to regulate their own sports betting policies, the Wire Act made it a violation of the law for wagers to be taken across state lines over a line of communication. This means that unless someone was standing in front of you at a window, you would not be allowed to take their bet. As time has progressed, the Wire Act has been expanded to cover the Internet as well. But, it’s jurisdiction only serves over domestic operators and not those located overseas.
While no longer in effect, the second federal sports betting law enacted was the Professional and Amateur Sports Protection Act of 1992 (PASPA). PASPA prevented states from regulating sports betting operations on their own. There were four states that had already legalized sports gambling at the time that PASPA was signed into law, so they became grandfathered into the law. Of those four, only Nevada was able to offer wagering on all forms of sports. On May 14th, 2018 the Supreme Court found that the law was unconstitutional and PASPA was overturned. Each state now has the option to legalize sports wagering the way that best serves the unique needs of their state.
Finally, we have the Unlawful Internet Gambling Enforcement Act, a law that was passed in 2006. The UIGEA sounds like it makes gambling online unlawful, right? Well, it doesn’t. It’s just a scary sounding bank regulation. It has nothing to do with the bettor whatsoever. The UIGEA states that financial institutions cannot accept or process transactions between US bettors and unregulated online gambling sites. This law merely makes it an inconvenience when trying to collect your winnings from offshore sports betting sites and does not penalize you for doing so.
What it does do is give banks and other financial institutions the ability to decline deposits made to online sportsbook accounts. Usually, they don’t get flagged and everything is business as usual. But sometimes, deposits made with credit cards or bank wire transfers will get declined, and you have to find a new way to make a deposit. (GO ahead and purchase an international Visa Gift Card if you don’t have Bitcoin or don’t want to try a different method).
Finally, we have the Unlawful Internet Gambling Enforcement Act, a law that was passed in 2006. The UIGEA sounds like it makes gambling online unlawful, right? Well, it doesn’t. It’s just a scary sounding bank regulation. It has nothing to do with the bettor whatsoever. The UIGEA states that businesses cannot accept or process transactions between US bettors and online gambling sites. It was meant to act the same way the Wire Act does, preventing operators of online sportsbooks from accepting bets, but US laws don’t have jurisdiction over foreign companies. So it doesn’t make betting online illegal.
What it does do is give banks and other financial institutions the ability to decline deposits made to online sportsbook accounts. Usually, they don’t get flagged and everything is business as usual. But sometimes, deposits made with credit cards or bank wire transfers will get declined, and you have to find a new way to make a deposit.
Legal sports betting sites usually only require players to be older than 18. But in Massachusetts, the age requirement is a bit higher. The legal Massachusetts sports betting age is 21, so players will have to wait a few years before signing up for an account. Keep in mind to stick with state laws as they supersede international sportsbook regulations.
Legal Massachusetts sports betting can be done online, and now, on your mobile device. All of the legal online sports betting sites you see recommended on this page also have mobile sites. These can be accessed through the browser of your smartphone or tablet. They allow you to do all of the same things you would from the computer while you’re on the go. The best mobile sports betting app in Massachusetts depends entirely on what you’re looking for. We recommend choosing an online sportsbook, seeing what they have to offer, and then using their mobile site.
How Do I Know if a Sportsbook Accepts Massachusetts Bets?
Any online book that accepts American wagers will accept a wager from Massachusetts. There are no laws against offshore betting, which is why residents will have no problem joining any of the leading online sportsbooks.
Will the State of Massachusetts Ever Have Traditional Sportsbooks?
Yes, the state of Massachusetts can begin offering traditional sportsbooks as soon as they want. Without any federal barriers, there is nothing to prevent the state from licensing Massachusetts sportsbooks. The legislature will have to first legalize sports betting before regulated sportsbooks can become an option.
Are There Sportsbooks At Tribal Casinos In Massachusetts?
There are currently no tribal casinos in Massachusetts. The Aquinnah tribe plans to open a Class II casino on their Martha’s Vineyard reservation land, but sports betting falls under Class III gaming. The Mashpee Wampanoag Tribe had planned on constructing the First Light Resort and Casino, however, legal battles have prevented the project from developing. If Class III tribal casinos do come to the state, they will likely profit from legal Massachusetts sports betting.
What Types Of Wagers Can I Place At Online Sports Betting Sites?
There are tons of different wager types available at legal Massachusetts sports betting sites. The most common, like moneylines, spreads, and totals, can be found at all online sportsbooks. As a book rises in quality, it will also have more wager types to choose from, like futures, pleasers, teasers, if-bets, propositions, and more.
Are There Fees To Deposit At Massachusetts Online Sportsbooks?
It really depends on the type of deposit method you’re using, as well as which book you’re using. Some books will charge a fee when others don’t, while some methods will have fees attached that others don’t. You can find out if your legal Massachusetts sports betting site charges a deposit fee by going to their cashier page.
How Long Should It Take To Receive A Payout?
Payout speed is determined by the method you choose. If you select a digital currency like Bitcoin to withdraw with, funds will be transferred to your account within a few hours. But if you choose a check, you have to wait for it to come in the mail, which could take several days. Delivery times will be listed next to the withdrawal method of your choice on your sportsbook’s cashier page.