Massachusetts is working diligently to bring sports betting within its borders as soon as possible. They have the legal framework in place and are going to iron out the details swiftly to get sports betting launched quickly.
Contents
- Is sports betting legal in Massachusetts?
- When Will Massachusetts Sports Betting Start?
- Is DraftKings sports betting legal in Massachusetts?
- Why is Sports Betting Illegal in Massachusetts?
- Sportsbooks to Expect When Sports Betting is Legal in Massachusetts
- What Sports Can I Bet on in Massachusetts?
- Will College Betting be Legal in Massachusetts?
- Sports Betting Tips
- Massachusetts Sports Teams
- Latest Massachusetts sports betting news
Is sports betting legal in Massachusetts?
While sports betting is officially legal in Massachusetts, you cannot legally place a bet there yet. In August 2022, a bill was signed allowing mobile and in-person betting to take place in the state, and the Massachusetts Gaming Commission is meeting in September to detail the next steps.
When Will Massachusetts Sports Betting Start?
The wait for Massachusetts to start accepting bets shouldn’t be much longer. While there is no official date for the launch of either retail or mobile, it’s not expected to take long. Several sportsbooks are already poised to launch the minute they’re able to. While you could currently bet using offshore sportsbooks, it’s strongly advised not to, especially with legal American sportsbooks imminent. Offshore sportsbooks don’t have any legal obligation to operate fairly, so they can withhold money or freeze your account and you’ll have very few options to recover what is yours.
Is DraftKings sports betting legal in Massachusetts?
DraftKings isn’t legal just yet, but it will be when everything is ready to go. DraftKings began in Boston and is headquartered in the city still. As a major player in sports betting, and with strong roots in the state, you should expect them to be among the top sportsbooks available in Massachusetts.
New DraftKings players get a deposit bonus up to $1,000
Why is Sports Betting Illegal in Massachusetts?
Sports betting is only illegal still because the proper rules and regulations aren’t firmly in place yet. When the regulations are finalized, the launch of sports betting should swiftly follow. Massachusetts has been gearing towards legal sports betting for a while, which is why they’re likely to hit the ground running, unlike some other states.
Sportsbooks to Expect When Sports Betting is Legal in Massachusetts
When sports betting launches, there is expected to be multiple sportsbooks available immediately. While the current laws allow for up to 15 online sportsbooks, only these six are anticipated to be legalized initially.
Every sportsbook comes with unique features, odds, and promos available, so it’s best to compare when starting to see which you like best. If you’re unfamiliar with any of those or just want to learn more about them before trying them you should check out their respective sportsbook reviews.
What Sports Can I Bet on in Massachusetts?
Massachusetts should have all of the popular sports and leagues available to bet on at every sportsbook. At most sportsbooks, the list will consist of most, if not all of these.
Some sportsbooks will have many more sports to bet on than what’s on that list, so if you’re looking for other options such as cricket, darts, or lacrosse, your options may be limited although there are sportsbooks that carry them.
Will College Betting be Legal in Massachusetts?
College sports betting will be legal, with one exception. You won’t be able to bet on any in-state colleges during their regular season. So, schools like the University of Connecticut or the University of Rhode Island will be available when playing non-Massachusetts schools in a given sport if it’s a scheduled regular season event. Schools such as Boston College, Harvard, UMass, and Holy Cross will not be available for betting purposes, no matter the sport or opponent during regular season play.
A wrinkle in that college betting rule that most states do not have is that you will be able to bet on Massachusetts colleges if they’re participating in a tournament. This means that while a team like Boston College basketball will be off-limits most of the season, for the ACC tournament, NIT, or March Madness, they will be a legal betting option.
Sports Betting Tips
Sports betting is fun and can be rewarding, but there’s always a risk since you’re wagering with real money. Here are some quick tips to get the most out of your betting experience.
Learn Terms
Too often, people will bet on things without knowing exactly what they’re betting on. Knowing common terms, phrases, and the different bet types are important. Betting blindly will typically lead to losses. Don’t be afraid to check out a basic guide or glossary to make sure you know what you are getting yourself into.
Head Over Heart
If you’re looking to turn a profit, you should follow the truth rather than what you desire. While there’s nothing wrong with betting for your favorite team, you shouldn’t do so to make money because you want them to win. If you want to make money, you should bet on them because you logically believe that they will win. Thinking about why the Patriots are an underdog could save you money when you’ve convinced yourself they’re going to win.
Risk Calculation
When betting on sports, or anything, it’s all about weighing the risk versus the reward. While the odds dictate what the sportsbook perceives as the likelihood of an outcome occurring, you should consider it yourself and if the odds offered fairly reflect that. If you like the chances of something happening and think the payout is fair, go for it. If you’re hesitant, it may be best to consider other options. You should feel confident when you place a bet, even if it ends up losing.
Research
It’s wise to dig into teams and players before placing a wager on any game. Checking out recent games, injury reports, blogs, season stats, and any information you can find is useful. Information is one of the most crucial components of becoming a successful bettor. Even if one of the teams is your favorite team and you think you know everything, you may learn something that you didn’t know before that changes your outlook. Information is an advantage available to anyone, and finding a bit of time to study can pay off big long-term.
Money and Mental Health Management
Where a lot of people lose the joy from sports betting by not taking care of themselves financially or mentally.
When it comes to money, don’t bet using the money that you need. If it’s money that you can not afford to lose, don’t touch it under any circumstances. No matter how confident you are in a bet, which you should be, any bet can lose which is why sportsbooks offer odds on them. Keep the money in your pocket if it’s not expendable.
Further, betting large amounts of money on things that you are unfamiliar with is unwise. Even if it seems fun or if you’re just trying to be part of the group, you’ll regret dropping big bucks and losing it on something that is outside of your wheelhouse. A lot of people like to dive into the deep end, especially for a live game, without dipping their toes in first. If you want to start betting on something new, start small, and as you gain experience and comfort you should start wagering a little more if you can afford to. Going broke on something you don’t have prior history of betting on is easy to avoid, yet, happens frequently.
For when you are on a losing streak, don’t be afraid to take a break. Just like a hitter in baseball, trying to swing your way out of a slump will only make it worse, compounding your losses and adding even more stress. Everyone goes through rough times when betting, even the absolute best, so step away and stick to what works for you when you come back. Place careful bets, and get your confidence back before shooting for long odds and spending more to recoup the losses.
New BetRivers players get up to a $500 free bet
Massachusetts Sports Teams
Boston College Golden Eagles
Harvard Crimson
Holy Cross Crusaders
Merrimack Warriors
Northeastern Huskies
UMass Lowell River Hawks
UMass Minutemen
Latest Massachusetts sports betting news
October 3, 2022: The Red Sox open up their final series of what was a disappointing season, as they will finish last in the AL East and as the only team without a winning record.
October 2, 2022: The Patriots fall to the Packers in OT, 27-24, dropping them to 1-3 to start the season.
September 23, 2022: In an extremely unexpected move, the Celtics announced that head coach Ime Udoka would be suspended for a year following a violation of team policies.
August 31, 2022: Deadline for operators to tell the Massachusetts Gaming Commission about their interest in operating in the state
August 25, 2022: 11 operators have known interest in acquiring a sports betting license in Massachusetts
August 23, 2022: The Massachusetts Gaming Commission announces they’re meeting on September 8, 2022, to provide further details about the launch
August 10, 2022: The Massachusetts Sports Wagering Act is signed by Governor Charlie Baker, legalizing sports betting in Massachusetts
