Massachusetts

Professional sports teams in Massachusetts have always seemed to have a championship pedigree, so it only felt right when the state legalized sports betting on August 1, 2022. After a few twists and turns, the residents of the Bay State currently have seven legal mobile sportsbooks up for grabs.

Bettors in MA have full reign to bet on their favorite local professional sports teams. However, when it comes to wagering on collegiate sports, bettors can only wager on in-state colleges when they are playing major events like March Madness. For those looking for a sports betting alternative, daily fantasy sports apps are also available in MA.

While betting on horse racing is available to in-state bettors, it is still illegal to wager on greyhound races. As far as non-sport-related wagers go, customers can bet on entertainment-based events like award shows, but they are not permitted to legally bet on politics or eSports.

Fantasy fishing leagues in Massachusetts: The untapped DFS market

Cape Cod’s fishing culture could reel in a surprising new trend, and that is fantasy fishing on Daily Fantasy Sports (DFS) platforms. With the state hosting numerous competitive fishing tournaments, the infrastructure already exists for up-to-the-minute data collection and scoring.

DFS platforms could allow players to draft anglers, boats, or captains based on performance history, targeting stats like total catch weight, most species caught, or largest single fish. With that, the idea of these contests would be similar to drafting a DFS golf lineup for an upcoming tournament. 

Fantasy fishing would offer a uniquely laid-back twist on traditional DFS contests, attracting both anglers and casual players seeking a uniquely Massachusetts experience. For platforms looking to stand out in a crowded market and states like Massachusetts looking to expand niche DFS markets, Cape Cod’s waters might just be the key.

Online Sports Betting in The Bay State

The efforts to get sports betting legalized in Massachusetts had always been there. Starting in 2019, sports betting bills started to make their way into legislative sessions, but up until 2022, the Senate was adamantly opposed to the legalization despite the Governor’s support.

In 2022, the House and Senate remained at odds over multiple aspects of the sports betting bill, with one of the biggest areas of contention being the rules governing wagering on college sports. However, even with the odds stacked against the bill's passage on August 1, 2022, the two sides reached an agreement, and Governor Charlie Baker signed legalized sports betting into law on August 10th.

Once Gov. Baker signed HB 5164 into law, the long wait for legal sports betting in one of the biggest sports-centric states was finally over. Once the bill was signed, the process of issuing licenses began, and by January 31, 2023, the state was prepared to officially enter phase one of legalized sports betting: retail betting.

Bettors in MA had three retail betting locations to choose from while awaiting the official launch of mobile betting. That launch day would come on March 10, 2023, when six mobile sportsbooks, including Caesars, BetMGM, FanDuel, WynnBet, and others, officially launched.

Since the official online launch day, Massachusetts has further expanded its online market by adding the Bally Bet and Fanatics Sportsbook, giving bettors a total of seven to choose from for the time being.

All legal MA sports betting apps in 2026 (from newest to oldest):

Recently closed online sportsbooks

Top MA betting apps in terms of popularity

Massachusetts' 2026 online sports betting market remains highly concentrated, with DraftKings and FanDuel accounting for a combined 77.79% of all bets in 2025. DraftKings, headquartered in Boston, maintains its dominant position at 52.47%, a remarkable consistency compared to its 50.77% share in 2024 and 51.15% in 2025. FanDuel, however, has seen a notable decline, slipping from 29.40% in 2024 to 26.26% in 2025 and then to 25.05% in 2026, marking the largest year-over-year loss among active operators.

On the other hand, Fanatics Sportsbook made great gains from 2024 to 2025, increasing its share from 4.41% in 2024 to 7.94% in 2025, and rising from fifth position in 2024 to the TOP3 of the current MA sports betting market. In 2026, Fanatics holds 7.84% market share and is definitely looking to boost its numbers further as the year goes on. Caesars is also among the betting apps trending upward in Massachusetts, taking in 3.90% of all mobile sports bets in 2026, up from 3.15% the year prior.

BetMGM dipped slightly, from 7.65% in 2025 to 7.16% in 2026. Similarly, ESPN Bet, rebranded as TheScore Bet on December 1, 2025, also saw a decline, falling from 3.20% to 2.85%. While this drop wasn't particularly notable, it's worth noting that in 2024, ESPN Bet still held a 4.51% market share, the fourth-largest in MA.

Overall, while DraftKings maintains a strong local advantage, the mid-tier segment is becoming more competitive, with Fanatics emerging as the most significant challenger.

Sports betting & gambling legislation in MA

Sports betting is fully legal in Massachusetts, which means bettors must be at least 21 years old. As for other restrictions, bettors are not allowed to make deposits with credit cards, which is uncommon among legal gambling states, so residents need to keep that in mind.

Bettors have the option for remote registration, so while they do not need to be on the grounds of retail property to create a mobile betting account, they must be within state lines to place a legal wager on their mobile sportsbook account. The Massachusetts Gaming Commission enforces all the aforementioned rules and regulations, as well as the strict guidelines that operators in the state must abide by.

Naturally, the state still manages all tax-related matters. In Massachusetts, all gambling income is subject to a 5% state tax, and winnings over $5,000 are also subject to a 24% federal tax rate. However, a new bill, SB302, has been reintroduced and, if passed, would increase the gambling tax rate to 51% and set a $ 1,000-per-day and $ 10,000-per-month betting limit.

With online and retail betting now legal due to House Bill 5164, iGaming remains one of the few gambling-related issues that is still illegal in the state. Whether that will change in the near future is still uncertain, but given the amount of work still needed to develop the sports betting market, the issue of iGaming will likely be sidelined for a while.

From Harvard to high stakes: the case for academic wagering in MA

Massachusetts has some of the most academically notable schools in the country, with institutions like Harvard and MIT leading global innovation. But could the state also pioneer a new type of betting that entails wagering on academic competitions? While sports betting has already been legalized, the idea of gambling on brainpower might seem unconventional, but it is potentially a gold mine.

Events like the Harvard-MIT robotics competitions, national spelling bees, and even collegiate quiz bowls attract fierce competition and impressive audiences. Enthusiasts already debate outcomes in forums and through friendly wagers with peers, so why not place actual stakes on these intellectual showdowns? The number of markets that could be wagered on in these fields are countless, whether it be the winner of a robotics competition, or which school gets the most correct answers at a quiz bowl. 

The challenges, of course, lie in regulation and ethics. Getting academic institutions to embrace this could be quite the uphill battle. While it may seem far-fetched now, as eSports and alternative wagering markets grow, Massachusetts could find itself at the forefront of a betting revolution fueled not by physical feats but by wit.

How Revolutionary War Reenactments Could Spark Novelty Bets in Massachusetts

It may sound like a revolutionary idea, but Massachusetts could transform its rich Revolutionary War heritage into an unexpected source of betting revenue. Events in Lexington, Concord, and Bunker Hill already attract thousands of spectators each year, so the potential to add a playful element of prediction is certainly possible. Prop bets such as “Which actor gets ‘shot’ first?”, “Will Paul Revere fall off his horse?” or “Duration of the battle scene” could engage both local bettors and tourists.

Of course, ethical concerns would make it difficult for local licensed sportsbooks to offer this market. However, this unique blend of education, entertainment, and gaming would capture attention both locally and nationally, especially among history buffs and casual gamblers, who sportsbooks may not be profiting from if they don’t enjoy traditional sports betting. 

Most recent updates from the MA sports betting scene

• February 25, 2026: A Massachusetts judge refuses to dismiss a class action accusing DraftKings of misleading customers with its “$1,000 Deposit Bonus” tied to steep deposit and wagering thresholds. The court found factual disputes over how the offer was displayed, noting recreated visuals differed from what users may have seen. The case now moves toward potential class certification and extended discovery.

• January 27, 2026: SB 302 has been reintroduced during the state's legislative session for 2026. This bill would change the state's tax rate to 51%, prohibit in-game and prop wagers, limit bettors to a $ 1,000-per-day limit, and ban all sports betting ads during televised events. The Senate could review the bill before March 6th.

• January 26, 2026: The New England Patriots have reached the Super Bowl and are (+4.5) underdogs to the Seattle Seahawks for the game.

• January 20, 2026: A judge in Massachusetts has ruled that the sports prediction market Kalshi can no longer operate in the state. Kalshi is likely to appeal this ruling, but if they remain unlicensed, it is unlikely the ruling will be overturned.

• January 2, 2026: With the #2 seed in the AFC, the New England Patriots will start the playoffs by hosting the LA Chargers as (-3.5) favorites.

• January 2, 2026: Heading into the final week of the NFL regular season, Patriots quarterback Drake Maye is the favorite to win MVP at (-295) on DraftKings.

• December 15, 2025: After blowing a lead in their loss to the Buffalo Bills, the New England Patriots are now (-250) to win the AFC East. New England has also opened as a (+2.5) underdog for their Week 16 meeting with the Ravens.

In-person sports betting sites and locations

All casinos and racetracks in Massachusetts were awarded licenses when the sports betting bill was passed, meaning there are currently three retail locations available to bettors, with two more expected to open in the near future. The two locations expected to join down the line are Raynham Park and Suffolk Downs, both of which are pari-mutuel simulcast facilities. These locations will be able to partner with one online and one retail operator apiece.

The three casinos that have opened their doors to sports bettors since the launch have the option to partner with two online skins, all of which have already been claimed.

Betting on broth: Chowder Wars could add flavor to Massachusetts gambling

Massachusetts has long been divided over one of the state’s most passionate culinary debates—New England clam chowder versus its less popular cousin, Manhattan clam chowder. The creamy, hearty white broth of New England’s version is a staple of local menus, while the tomato-based Manhattan variety is often met with disgust in the Bay State. But could this rivalry go beyond taste and venture into the world of gambling?

With food competitions already an integral part of state fairs and culinary festivals, a chowder betting market could be a unique and creative addition to Massachusetts’ gambling scene. Annual “Chowder Wars” hosted in Boston, where top chefs compete in a blind taste test while bettors place wagers on which style will impress the judges. Novelty prop bets could also be involved. 

While this idea may seem outrageous, food betting has been surging in popularity, highlighted by the Nathan’s Hot Dog Eating Contest. Given the growing interest in this market, this could be an idea to toy with to drive even more tax revenue from sports betting. One thing that is guaranteed if this market sees the light of day is that Manhattan clam chowder would be a massive underdog.

Sports betting in neighboring states

Right next to Massachusetts, happens to be the highest earning state for sports betting handle in 2023, in New York. Outside the juggernaut that is NY, residents of MA can also travel across the border to New Hampshire, Rhode Island, and Connecticut to access legal sports betting.

Vermont was the most recent neighboring state to MA to pass a sports betting bill. To find out more about that bill, select the state below.

Sports betting revenue impact on Massachusetts' economy

It did not take long for Massachusetts to start managing record-breaking numbers when it came to sports betting handle and revenue. Already in October 2023, Massachusetts was tenth out of all legal sports betting states in overall handle for the year at $3.65 billion, which is impressive considering sports betting only launched in January of 2023. It certainly helps that Massachusetts offers seven of the largest sports betting apps on the market.

In 2025, MA set new annual record figures in all revenue data categories, with more than $8.53 billion placed wagers (total handle), over $865 million in revenue gained by sportsbooks, and around $167 million in tax income. Compared to the year prior, the total betting volume was up 15.2%, while revenue (up 29.4% YoY) and tax income (up 29% YoY) saw even more impressive year-on-year growth. According to the projections, 2026 should be another excellent year for the MA betting market.

There are two ways an online operator can obtain a license in MA. In total, there are 15 licenses, and eight are available for an operator to partner with either a casino or racetrack. The other seven licenses are standalone, so they do not require a partnership, but they are on a competitive basis. Regardless of how they are obtained, the fee for a license is $5 million. For tax rates, online sportsbooks have to pay a rate of 20%, while retail sportsbooks pay a rate of 15%.

With the sheer size of the state and the fact that more operators could join the market, Massachusetts will definitely be one of the highest-earning states in 2026 as well. Ironically, much like the professional sports world, the biggest state that MA will compete with is New York, as the two states have two of the largest sports fan bases in the U.S.

Massachusetts sports betting record months:

• Sports betting handle: November 2025 ($914,667,952)

• Revenue: December 2025 ($102,474,989)

• Tax income: December 2025 ($19,627,172)

• Biggest monthly mobile handle to date by a single MA sportsbook app:

  • DraftKings (Nov. 2025): $475.8M

• Biggest recorded monthly revenue from online wagering in Massachusetts:

  • DraftKings (Dec. 2025): $54.5M

Latest MA sports betting revenue report breakdown (January 2026)

• Total betting handle: $808,920,464

  • Mobile betting handle: $797,090,796

  • Retail betting handle: $11,829,668

• Winnings paid to players: $742,792,400

  • Hold: 10.43%

• Gross revenue: $84,391,384

  • Online sportsbooks' revenue: $84,058,846

  • Retail revenue: $332,538

• Total adjusted (taxable) revenue: $82,401,311

• Total tax revenue for the state: $16,465,126

Reported by the Massachusetts Gaming Commission.

Top performing sports betting apps in the state in January 2026:

1. DraftKings (Handle: $418.3m, Revenue: $45.8m)

2. FanDuel (Handle: $199.7m, Revenue: $23.7m)

3. Fanatics (Handle: $62.5m, Revenue: $5.8m)

4. BetMGM (Handle: $57.1m, Revenue: $4.7m)

5. Caesars Sportsbook (Handle: $31.1m, Revenue: $1.6m)

6. TheScore Bet (Handle: $22.7m, Revenue: $1.9m)

7. Bally Bet (Handle: $5.8m, Revenue: $539,904)

MA mobile sportsbook apps market shares right now (January 2026 data)

Massachusetts online sports betting market shares - Full 2025 calendar year

Massachusetts online sports betting market shares 2024

Recent revenue report data - Compared to the previous year (YoY)

MA sports betting revenue in 2026

The three most vital figures, sports betting total handle, revenue, and tax income for the state, coming from Massachusetts Gaming Commission revenue report monthly reports, are presented in the following table for the 2026 year. The percentage figure represents the change compared to the previous month.

2025 betting revenue data

2024 revenue data

Yearly revenue data

Could Boston Marathon betting boost Massachusetts gambling revenue?

The Boston Marathon is one of the most prestigious races in the world, drawing elite athletes and thousands of enthusiastic runners. However, could it ever be considered a sports betting event? While major races like the Kentucky Derby permit wagering, betting on individual marathon runners presents ethical concerns.

However, looking at the case solely from the business standpoint, introducing a regulated betting market focused solely on elite athletes and performance-based props could open a new revenue stream for Massachusetts' growing gambling industry. If structured correctly, mirroring horse racing's parimutuel model, for example, the state could see millions in new wagers during Marathon Week.

Even capturing just 1% of the state's monthly betting handle (which averaged over $600 million in 2024) would result in $6 million in additional bets, generating around $750,000 in tax income at the state's wagering tax rates.

Novel betting markets like split-time over/unders, nationality-based outcomes, or group finishes could keep wagers on the ethical side while fueling fan engagement. As seen in the NFL and NBA, regulated betting markets boost viewership and tax income alike. However, allowing even this type of wagers on the race could lead to unwanted hateful messages, increased pressure, and the possibility of throwing the prestige event.