Sports betting in Massachusetts is not legal. But it’s the operator of Massachusetts sports betting sites that breaks the law. Not the individual bettor. Still, it is dangerous and potentially costly to do business with something that isn´t legal Massachusetts sportsbooks. However, Massachusetts does not have laws making it illegal for bettors to bet at an offshore sportsbook. There is no legal betting in Massachusetts. But the state doesn’t prevent residents from joining licensed offshore sportsbooks for US players. This page tells you everything you need to know about this state’s online sports betting laws. We mention how residents can bet on sports online legally at a sportsbook in the USA. We also recommend some offshore online bookies that are practically legal Massachusetts sports betting sites.
Top Sportsbooks Accepting Massachusetts Residents
- BetOnline – Trusted Sportsbook for Massachusetts Players
- BetUS – Top Rated Betting Site for Massachusetts Residents
- BetAnySports – Recommended Sportsbook in Massachusetts
- EveryGame – New Sportsbook Accepting Massachusetts Residents
- MyBookie – Top Sportsbook for Massachusetts Players
- XBet – Good Wagering Experience for MA Bettors
Is it Legal Betting on Sports in Massachusetts?
Sports betting in Massachusetts is legal. That is, only if you do so at licensed offshore sports betting sites USA. This is because neither state nor federal law binds these operators. And MA law does not criminalize bettors for placing bets. They overturned the Professional and Amateur Sports Protection Act. The state is authorized to create legal betting in Massachusetts. However, the state has not made any moves in that regard. SB 2273 recently got floor-time at the state senate. This bill alone would not equal legal Massachusetts sports betting sites. SB 2273 seeks to establish other laws to regulate legal Massachusetts sportsbooks.
This is standard in governance. It could be another year before residents can bet at Massachusetts sports betting sites. Massachusetts has neither legalized nor regulated sports betting. Massachusetts has no regulated options for its residents. Bettors can deal with live bookies. They must understand that the state neither licenses nor authorizes said bookies to operate in-state.
Several offshore online bookmakers accept Massachusetts bettors. They are not based in Massachusetts. They do not violate Massachusetts laws. It is perfectly online betting USA legal for state residents to bet at these online bookmakers. No part of the state’s law says that it is illegal for residents to bet on sports at offshore online sportsbooks.
Will Massachusetts Residents Be in Trouble for Placing Bets Online?
Residents will not be penalized for sports betting in Massachusetts. The state does not have laws preventing residents from betting online. Offshore online sportsbooks are not Massachusetts sports betting sites. Therefore, its laws don’t govern them. The state has so far not penalized any residents for betting at offshore bookies. The state does not license or regulate bookmakers. Running bookmakers is not legal betting in Massachusetts. The state will not hesitate to come down on things that aren’t legal Massachusetts sports betting sites. Individuals must note that state’s laws target entities that are not legal Massachusetts sportsbooks. But not those who bet on sports.
Massachusetts Betting Mistakes
The easiest Massachusetts betting mistake is betting emotionally. Sports fans let their emotions get the best of them. They make rash decisions. A rule of thumb for all fans is to not bet on teams or players they like. It only clouds their judgment. Bet on teams you are indifferent about so you will use facts and statistics and not emotion and fandom.
If “it’s too good to be true” it often is. Such as when you see lines that seem too good. Don’t let impulse make you fall for trap lines. Do your homework. Make sure you aren’t skipping any detail.
Where Can Massachusetts Residents Wager on Sports Online?
Betting in Massachusetts is much different today than it was even two decades ago. There are many Massachusetts-friendly online sportsbooks. We have listed the best of them. The sportsbooks we recommend all have licenses in gambling jurisdictions like Canada, Central America, and Europe. Until the state changes this situation, you can only do Massachusetts online sports betting with online sites.
Massachusetts Betting Laws
Massachusetts does not have online sports betting laws. Betting on sports is nominally legal. Running bookmakers is against the law in Massachusetts. A couple of rather ineffectual federal laws also bind sports betting. The Interstate Wire Act of 1961 prevents US-based sportsbooks from accepting bets across state lines. That is why MA residents can’t pick up the phone and place a wager at a Nevada sportsbook. The federal Unlawful Internet Gambling Enforcement Act of 2006 does not criminalize betting online. But it makes it illegal for banks and other financial institutions to knowingly process betting-related funds. The Professional and Amateur Sports Protection Act (PASPA) of 1992 sought to curb unlicensed bookmakers. It banned most US states from offering sports betting. The US Supreme Court overturned PASPA in 2018.
