Massachusetts Sports Betting Legalization And Launch: What You Should Know
Although the Massachusetts Gaming Commission initially legalized sports betting markets in the state this past August, following a quick sign-off from Governor Charlie Baker, it’s taken a little bit of time for both online and offline betting to get off the ground in Boston and beyond.
It’s technically been in the works since 2018, after the Supreme Court relegated the right to regulate local betting markets back to states. New York was quick to generate hundreds of millions in revenue after it legalized online sports betting early this year, and early next year, aspiring Massachusetts-based bettors will have another northeastern state to look forward to wagering in; their own!
In-person, brick-and-mortar sportsbook locations are slated to launch first, by January 2023, right on time for Super Bowl LVII! Since the parent companies behind quite a few popular sportsbook brands already operate legal, retail, brick-and-mortar locations for gaming in the state of Massachusetts (like Penn National Gaming, which owns and operates Barstool Sportsbook), it makes sense that brick-and-mortar offline books would be the first to launch before online options.
But Bostonians and greater Bay State residents shouldn’t have to wait long after the launch of in-person sportsbooks before they can enjoy betting at home or on the go in Massachusetts. Ahead of schedule, let’s explore what’s worth knowing about:
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The first likely sportsbooks to probably be coming to the Bay State next year
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The best promotional offers to most likely make waves on the MA betting market
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The most likely March Madness and Super Bowl future contenders in early 2023
Without any further ado, much like a Red Sox shortstop going up against the Yankees, let’s touch on these three most prudent bases.
The First Sportsbooks To Launch In Massachusetts
Not long after sports betting became legalized in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, several familiar online sportsbook brands, popular in other states and countries, began to submit notices of intent requesting licensing in Massachusetts. These familiar names include some very familiar power players to sharps and square players in other states, such as:
These six books might not first launch in that sequential order in Massachusetts, but they’ll be far from the last books to come to the Old Colony State. Anywhere from over 20 to over 42 sportsbooks could eventually be coming to the Bay State!
Unfortunately, online sports betting is unlikely to launch in time for the 2023 Super Bowl. Licensing snags and internal industry conflicts are the main reasons why online sports betting likely won’t get off the ground in Massachusetts until March Madness. But Massachusetts-area residents should be able to look forward to betting on the Big Game at in-person, brick-and-mortar sportsbooks without any hesitancy.
The three most likely sportsbooks to arrive to Massachusetts, first offline, then online, will most likely be Barstool, BetMGM, and WynnBet. Since all three of these operators already have connections to organizations that run legal brick-and-mortar casinos in the Commonwealth (Encore, Penn Entertainment, and Metro Goldwyn Mayer), it shouldn’t take them long to launch real-life, real-money sportsbooks at their pre-existing, legal gaming locations.
Massachusetts Sports Betting App Promos
The exact dates when WynnBet, BetMGM, Barstool, and other books are set to launch in the state is currently unknown, but when they do finally arrive, expect them to arrive with some of the most generous welcome offers on the Massachusetts market. Here’s each welcome bonus that will most likely be offered by each of these three sportsbooks when their online iterations go live in the Bay State:
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BetMGM: A first deposit match amounting up to $1,000 in free site credit!
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WynnBet: Bet $100, get $100 in free site credit to bet with!
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Barstool: A risk-free first bet, refunding up to $1,000 in site credit!
Read the hyperlinked reviews for each respective sportsbook to learn more about them. Moreover, keep your eyes peeled on our Massachusetts market page, and we’ll keep you posted on the best Massachusetts sportsbooks and sports betting app promos as they launch.
Super Bowl LVII Futures
In news that might come as a disappointment to Pats fans, the Buffalo Bills are currently leading the charge for future odds on BetMGM, with +325 odds as of this writing. The Kansas City Chiefs are tailing closely behind the Bills Mafia, with +550 odds currently on BetMGM, and The Birds are tailing even closer behind the Chiefs, with the Philadelphia Eagles at +650 odds on BetMGM.
Unfortunately, the New England Patriots are currently lagging behind those three teams at a hefty +6600 odds, but who knows what can change between now and early next year? Stay up to date with our Massachusetts market page to stay tuned on the brick-and-mortar books that you’ll be able to bet the bowl with.
March Madness 2023 Predictions
Currently, there are four early favorites tied at candidates for the outright winner of the 2023 NCAA college basketball championship, all tied for +1000 odds on BetMGM:
Yes, we know, sadly no New England names. And the two top Massachusetts state schools with basketball teams are, sadly, decisive longshots. Boston College’s NCAA team is currently at a long +50000 odds, and Harvard’s NCAA basketball team is far from the Ivy League, at an even longer +100000 odds.
But a lot can change between now and next March, and we’ll be sure to keep you updated on those changes as Massachusetts sports betting apps go live to the masses!
Mass. Betting En Masse
Follow our page on the best Massachusetts sports betting apps to learn more about the best online MA sportsbooks, betting markets, and promotional offers when they arrive early next year!
About the author
Sarah's our Copy Editor. With a long career in hospitality, Sarah knows entertainment & gaming like none other!
