Massachusetts Sports Betting: Best apps & sign-up promos for new customers

With Massachusetts sports betting live in The Bay State, the Inquirer is here to help guide new Massachusetts players in the right direction on what the best welcome offers are to take advantage of and what you need to know about sports betting in the state.

Below are a list of the seven sportsbooks new players can sign-up with in Massachusetts.

Massachusetts recently welcomed Bally Bet as the latest on July 2nd, 2024. It marks the eighth state Bally Bet expanded into. With the Boston Celtics winning the 2024 NBA Finals, it’ll be interesting to see the numbers on how much revenue was generated from bettors wagering on the storied NBA franchise.

The legalization of sports betting in MA came about in August 2022, after Gov. Charlie Baker signed Bill H. 5164 into law, with sportsbooks able to apply for sports betting licenses since then.

Retail sports betting launched even earlier than online betting, with January 31st being when retail betting was made available in three different casinos in MA: Encore Boston Harbor, MGM Springfield, and Plainridge Park Casino.

This launch of retail betting was just in time for the 2023 Super Bowl, while the online sports betting launch came in time for MA players to bet on the NBA and NHL, March Madness, and the MLB regular season.

Massachusetts’ launch was incredibly successful due to the timing of it being right before March Madness, as well as a time when the Bruins and Celtics were playing phenomenally.

Yes, sports betting has been legal in Massachusetts for a number of months now, after Gov. Charlie Baker signed Bill H5164 into law back in August 2022.

This allowed sports betting to be legal in all formats, with retail, online and mobile betting all going many months later in March of 2023.

Many states have restrictions in place for college sports, and Massachusetts is one of them. This is noteworthy with Massachusetts having D1 colleges like Harvard and Boston College.

Players are unable to wager on in-state teams during the regular season. However, they can wager on teams outside their state. An exception is made when an in-state team is playing in a tournament with four or more teams.

The Massachusetts Gaming Commission is the governing body that’s been put in charge of overseeing sports betting in Massachusetts, with the MGC the ones that are responsible for determining which sportsbooks are eligible for licenses.

They are also the ones who determine which sportsbooks will be eligible for launching in MA following sports betting goes live.

With sports betting live in Massachusetts, players can wager on a whole host of sports, ranging from the most popular sports such as basketball, football and baseball to lesser popular sports such as handball, darts and snooker.

With online sports betting now a live reality in Massachusetts, the Inquirer’s made a list of the best Massachusetts sports betting sites for you to use as a new customer.

Fanatics Sportsbook has rapidly grown popular in a short period of time thanks to their rapid expansion across the U.S., which includes Massachusetts.

Fanatics has competitive odds, a solid user layout, and a great welcome offer of bet and get up to $1,000 in no sweat bets by clicking here.

While their product is new, reviews have been stellar from users on iOS and Android Devices with their star rating being excellent and competitive within the industry.

Must be 21+. GAMBLING PROBLEM? Call 1-800-GAMBLER (CO, DC, IL, KS, KY, LA, MD, OH, MI, NC, NJ, PA, TN, VA, VT, WV, WY), (800)-327-5050 or http://gamblinghelplinema.org (MA), 1-800-NEXT-STEP or text NEXTSTEP to 53342 (AZ), (888) 789-7777 or http://ccpg.org (CT), or 1-800-BETS-OFF (IA), or 1-800-9-WITH-IT (IN), or www.mdgamblinghelp.org (MD), or morethanagame.nc.gov (NC), or 1800gambler.net (WV). Must apply this Promotion in your bet slip & place and settle $5+ cash wager with odds of - 200 or longer to get a Bonus Bet match (up to $100) each day for 10 straight days. Your 10 days begin the day you sign up. Bonus Bets expire 7 days from issuance. Add’l Terms apply, see Fanatics Sportsbook app.

BetMGM is one of the most popular sportsbooks in the country, with their competitive odds, same game parlays, and odds boosts being a big reason why people choose them as their go-to platform.

Given this, those in the Bay state can take advantage of all that BetMGM has to offer, including their generous bonus code PHILLY1600, which gives you a 20% deposit match worth up to $1,600 in sports bonus.

This welcome offer comes hand-in-hand with a 10x wagering requirement you’ll have to meet within 30 days so you can withdraw your cash winnings.

A different welcome offer can be redeemed with the BetMGM bonus code INQUIRERMGM which unlocks the welcome offer Get up to $1,500 Back in Bonus Bets if Your First Bet Doesn’t Win!

Finally, those in Massachusetts (along with those in AZ, CO, DC, MA, MD, NC, and VA) can use bonus code PHILLY200 and a different promo of bet $10, get $200 in bonus bets can be yours.

21+. Gambling problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER. AZ, CO, DC, IA, IL, IN, LA, KS, KY, MA, MD, MI, NC, NJ, PA, TN, VA, WV, WY. Call 877-8-HOPENY or text HOPENY (467369) (NY). Call 1-800-327-5050 (MA). 21+ to wager. Please Gamble Responsibly. Call 1-800-NEXT-STEP (AZ), 1-800-522-4700 (KS, NV), 1-800-BETS-OFF (IA), 1-800-270-7117 for confidential help (MI). Participant must complete the Wagering Requirements and satisfy the (10x) playthrough requirement. Visit BetMGM.com for Terms & Conditions.

BetMGM offers not live in NY & NV

21+. Gambling problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER. AZ, CO, DC, IA, IL, IN, LA, KS, KY, MA, MD, MI, NC, NJ, OH, PA, TN, VA, WV, WY. Call 877-8-HOPENY or text HOPENY (467369) (NY). Call 1-800-327-5050 (MA). 21+ to wager. Please Gamble Responsibly. Call 1-800-NEXT-STEP (AZ), 1-800-522-4700 (KS, NV), 1-800-BETS-OFF (IA). Participant must complete the Wagering. Bonus Bets Expire in 7 Days. US Promotional Offers Not Available in MS, NY, ON, or PR. Visit BetMGM.com for Terms & Conditions.

Gambling problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER (Available in the US) Call 1-800-327-5050 (MA) 21+ only. AZ, CO, DC, MA, MD, NC, VA only. Please Gamble Responsibly. Call 1-800-NEXT-STEP (AZ). First Bet Offer for new customers only. Subject to eligibility requirements. Bonus bets are non-withdrawable. See BetMGM.com for Terms. US Promotional offers not available in Ontario and Puerto Rico.

FanDuel are arguably the most well-known and used online sportsbooks in the US, and given how many states they’re live in already, it’s no surprise to see them having gone live in Massachusetts.

FanDuel obtaining a license from MGC was huge for Massachusetts players, as it allow them access to all FD has to offer ranging from their live betting markets and welcome offer to their excellent odds boosts.

Gambling Problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER. Hope is here.GamblingHelpLineMA.org or call (800) 327-5050 for 24/7 support (MA).

Caesars are one of the most recognizable names on our list, something that is largely down to the fact that their casino brand is one of the most well-known in the world.

As you may expected given the popularity of their brand, Caesars’ Sportsbook is very impressive in a number of key areas. One of them is their fantastic Caesars Sportsbook promo code INQUIRER1000, which allows you to get your first bets stake up to $1,000 back in bonus bets if you don’t win.

21+ only. Offer valid and must be physically present in AZ, CO, IL, IN, IA, KS, LA, MA, MD, ME, MI, NJ, NY, OH, PA, TN, VA, WV, and WY only. New users and first $10+ wager only. Must register with eligible promo code. Bet amount of qualifying wager returned only if wager is settled as a loss. Maximum Bonus Bet $1,000. Bonus Bet expires 30 days after receipt. Tier Credits and Reward Credits will be added to account within 7 days after qualifying wager settles. See Caesars.com/promos for full terms. Void where prohibited. Know When To Stop Before You Start.® Gambling Problem? AZ: Call 1-800-NEXT-STEP; CO, WY, KS (Affiliated with Kansas Crossing Casino): Call 1-800-522-4700; IN: Call 1-800-9-WITH-IT; IA: Call 1-800-BETSOFF; LA: Call 1-877-770-STOP (licensed through Horseshoe Bossier City and Harrah’s New Orleans); MI: Call 1-800-270-7117; IL, MD, NJ, TN, VA, WV, OH, PA (Affiliated with Harrah’s Philadelphia): If you or someone you know has a gambling problem, crisis counseling and referral services can be accessed by calling 1-800-GAMBLER (1-800-426-2537) or WV: Visit 1800gambler.net. ©2023, Caesars Entertainment

GAMBLING PROBLEM?

IL, MD, ME, NJ, OH, PA, TN, VA, WV: Call 1-800-GAMBLER

MA: CALL 1-800-327-5050 or visit gamblinghelplinema.org

NY: Call 877-8-HOPENY or text HOPENY (467369)

One of the most popular sportsbooks out in the country is DraftKings Sportsbook, which has a sign-up promotion of a bet $5, get $250 in instant bonus bets promo available through this link.

There are a large number of reasons DraftKings is a brand with as much success as they’ve had.

In terms of user-friendly experiences, there aren’t many sites you can pick that will treat you better across the board than DraftKings.

21+. Must be physically located in AZ, CO, CT, DC, IA, IL, IN, LA, KS, KY, MA, MI, MD, ME, NC, NJ, NY, OH, PA, VT, TN, VA, WV, WY. GAMBLING PROBLEM? CALL 1-800-GAMBLER (1-800-426-2537) (AZ/CO/DC/IA/IL/IN/KS/KY/LA/MD/ME/MI/NC/NH/NJ/OH/OR/PA/TN/VA/VT/WV/WY), (800) 327-5050 or visit gamblinghelplinema.org (MA). Call 877-8-HOPENY/text HOPENY (467369) (NY). Please Gamble Responsibly. Call 888-789-7777/visit ccpg.org (CT), or visit www.1800gambler.net (WV).

ESPN BET is the newest sportsbook not only in Massachusetts but in the entire country as they went live on November 14, 2023.

The welcome bonus you can get with the ESPN BET promo code is through the promo code INQUIRER. That’s a mandatory step, as no promo code means no welcome offer. Your welcome offer is a $1,500 first bet reset, which you won’t want to miss out on.

Massachusetts players will quickly come to like the product, as they have outstanding promotions and prop bets. Their mobile app ratings are also incredibly strong.

New users only, 21+. Gambling problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER. Must be physically present in AZ, CO, IA, IL, IN, KS, KY, LA, MA, MD, MI, NC, NJ, OH, PA, TN, VA, or WV in order to wager. Players must sign up using a specified Promotion code and then place an Eligible Wager on an Eligible Game during the Promotion Period. Bonus Bets will be credited upon making the first bet. Please Gamble Responsibly.

Sports betting wasn’t legal in Massachusetts until 2023, when those in The Bay State finally received sports both online and in-person.

The first step towards this process began back in July 2020 after the Massachusetts House passed an economic plan that hinted at the future legalization of sports betting in the state.

Efforts to have sports betting legalized were dismissed in November 2020 after failing to put together a plan for the 2021 budget.

Five bills were then put forward in February 2021, with one of these getting to the latter stage of the process in June 2021 by the House, with this being HB 3977, however this was never approved by the Senate.

A breakthrough was finally then achieved come August 2022, as Bill H5164 was signed into law by Gov. Charlie Baker as Massachusetts became the latest state to legalize sports betting.

The process of issuing sports betting licenses then get underway, with December 2022 seeing BetMGM get licensed.

More meetings with sportsbook were held with licenses being issued to various betting sites, with seven sports betting sites total having earned licenses and six being live on launch day.

Retail sports betting officially launched January 31st, 2023. March 10th, 2023 is when online sports betting launched.

There are a whole host of major sports teams residing in Massachusetts, something that shouldn’t come as a surprise given the state is home to a city the size and stature of Boston.

We’ve gone over and discussed some of the sports teams based in Massachusetts that you can bet on with sports betting officially live, as well as some of the bets you’ll be able to place on them.

The Celtics are one of the most successful teams in all of basketball, with Boston having won 18 titles in their history, including the 2024 NBA Finals.

They’ve played host to some of the most popular names in all of basketball in the past, including the likes of Bill Russell, Larry Bird, Kevin Garnett, Paul Pierce and Doc Rivers.

Since drafting Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown in 2017 and 2016 respectively, the Celtics have been the epitome of an elite team who’ve been more consistent than anyone in the NBA.

The Bruins are, historically, one of the most successful teams in the NHL, with Boston winning six Stanley Cups up until 2023, with only three teams having won more during this time.

They’ve reached the Stanley Cup finals a total of 20 times during their history, with 14 of these ending in defeat, a total that, unfortunately for the Bruins, no team has been able to beat.

You can bet on futures markets as it relates to how well you think the Bruins will do or every one of their games when the season starts.

The Patriots are the most successful team in the history of the NFL, winning six Super Bowls in their history, all of which have come since 2021.

They’ve won the Super Bowl in 2001, 2003, 2004, 2014, 2016 and 2018, with this largely being down to the brilliance of Tom Brady and coach Bill Belichick, with supporting cast such as Rob Gronkowski and Julian Edelman also playing key roles.

You’ll be able to wager on all of the Patriots regular season and postseason games, whether or not you think they’ll make the playoffs and whether you think they’ll win the Super Bowl, as well as a number of other markets.

The Red Sox have managed to capture the World Series a total of nine times in their history, with Boston winning just the crown in just their third-ever season back in 1903.

They’ve most recently win the World Series in 2018, beating the Dodgers 4-1 in the final, with Boston going four for four in World Series games this century, winning in 2004, 2007, 2013 and 2018.

Their overall record in the World Series is nine wins from 13 appearances, with Boston boasting quality stars such as Mookie Betts, Cy Young and Dustin Pedroia during its history.

You can bet on all of the Red Sox’s regular season outings this term, if you think they’ll make the playoffs, win the World Series, as well as whether you think they’ll win more or less games than their predetermined line.

New England Revolution have never tasted MLS Cup success in their history, with the Revolution coming closest on five separates occasions, reaching the final in each of the 2002, 2005, 2006, 2007, and 2016 campaigns.

They’ve finished atop of the Eastern conference three times, boasting the best record once, with this coming back in 2021.

They’ve hosted players such as Kei Kamara, Taylor Twellman, Lee Nguyen and Clint Dempsey, however despite this, they’re yet to taste MLS glory since being founded in 1996.

All of their regular season games are available to be bet on, and you’ll also able to wager on whether they’ll win the East, make the playoffs or win the MLS Cup.

The Inquirer is not an online gambling operator, or a gambling site. We provide this information about sports betting for entertainment purposes only.