Massachusetts Sports Betting

In August 2022, Massachusetts Governor Charlie Baker signed bill H5164 legalizing sports betting. Brick-and-mortar sportsbooks launched in January 2023, with online betting following suit in March.

The state’s three casinos were eligible to apply for a Category 1 license with the right to offer up to two mobile skins in addition to a retail sportsbook. The state’s two horseracing simulcast facilities may obtain a Category 2 license with the right to offer a retail sportsbook and one mobile skin.

State law also allows up to seven Category 3 licenses awarded to mobile operators untethered to a land-based operator.

In March 2016, attorney general Maura Healey put forth regulations for the daily fantasy sports industry. The legislature made the activity legal until 31 July 2018.

In January 2018, a bill to introduce a study sports betting was unveiled.

In February 2018, a bill seeking to make fantasy sports legal on a permanent basis was put forth. Also, the Massachusetts Gaming Commission released a white paper to provide a "roadmap for those seeking to learn about the current landscape of the sports betting discussion in the country and its possibilities in Massachusetts."

In January 2019, Gov. Charlie Baker proposed a bill that would regulate sports betting in the state and allow people 21 and older to place bets on major league sports teams. Betting on college and high school sports, esports and amateur sports would be prohibited, and coaches, athletes, referees and other sports employees would also be banned from wagering.

In April 2019, the Massachusetts House of Representatives delayed Baker’s bill, which included an overall proposal on the state’s budget for the next fiscal year. In June 2020, the House passed a broad economic development bill that would have authorized the Massachusetts Gaming Commission to issue licenses for retail sports betting to the state’s commercial casinos and racing facilities. The Senate failed to include sports betting language into its own version, saying sports wagering would be considered as a standalone measure during the 2021 legislative session.