Is Sports Betting Legal In Massachusetts?

If you were talking to someone who had never been in the United States before and were trying to recommend a good place to kick off their visit, it's a good bet that Massachusetts would come up. No other state has as rich a cultural history and a slice of life that's quite so uniquely American as they do in Massachusetts, and not only is Boston one of America's best cities when it comes to culture and restaurants, it's a great sports town as well. Bean Town, baby! As home to historic franchises like the Boston Bruins and Celtics and more, it's no surprise that a lot of residents of Massachusetts tend to have some questions about sports betting, and that's exactly why we're here to help.

One of the first things that always comes up (and with good reason) is whether or not it's legal to wager on sports in Massachusetts. Sports, after all, is a huge part of the city’s long-time character and makeup. Fortunately, there is good news on that front: Sports betting in Massachusetts is 100% legal if you use a reputable offshore betting site, and by participating in the pastime, you run no risk of legal prosecution within MA borders. There is always some confusion regarding this fact, and it stems fr om some ambiguous laws. The important distinction to make is that it is lawful to wager but unlawful to accept wagers as a sportsbook on Massachusetts soil. This means that if you are running a sportsbook as a bookmaker or business owner, you can be punished by law, but the simple act of placing a bet or wager bears no legal penalty.

Massachusetts has tried for years to legalize their own state-regulated sportsbooks but lawmakers have run into stalemate after stalemate. Lawmakers have introduced well over a dozen bills each year since PASPA was repealed. Governor Charlie Baker even introduced his own sports betting bill. But, talks are still ongoing as to how the state regulated market will work.

Land-Based Sports Betting in Massachusetts

Our savvy readers have no doubt picked up on a little problem here. Namely, if it's against the law for anyone to host sports betting, what good does the legal status of placing bets or wagers do you? Indeed, that can be a big problem for those seeking out land-based betting in Massachusetts. It simply cannot be done in a legal fashion. There is, of course, always the option of seeking out land-based illicit sportsbooks (i.e. black-market bookies), but the unlawful nature of these operations can turn out to be not only bad for your personal safety, but an incredibly poor place to put your hard earned money.

Even though you still won't be on the hook legally for merely participating in these underground sportsbooks’ services, it is most definitely not a recommended course of action. Massachusetts residents also have the option of taking a drive to New Hampshire or Rhode Island wh ere there is legalized sports betting, or traveling further into New Jersey or New York. While this can be a satisfying experience for some, aside from the inconvenience of a long drive, legal sports betting industries in these areas have long had the reputation of having expensive lines on MA sports teams. However, if you decide that you don’t need a brick-and-mortar sports betting lounge to place your daily bets, there is a much easier, safer, cheaper, better way!

Legal Online Sports Betting in Massachusetts

So where does that leave us? Luckily for residents of Massachusetts, there is the Internet and several good online sportsbooks for MA residents to choose from. Since all the sportsbooks we recommend to you are based overseas, they do not fall under the same restrictive laws and jurisdictions that prevent land-based sports betting in Massachusetts. If the idea of putting your money in a foreign entity makes you nervous, it shouldn't. Many of these sports betting sites for Massachusetts residents have been in business and serving bettors from the United States for over 20 years. In that time, these legally run, legitimate businesses have learned how to serve their American customers, and then some. From these superior online sportsbooks, you'll find unheard-of levels of customer service, and you'll find you can pick up the sports betting hobby with ease.