The Most Popular Sports to Bet on in Massachusetts
Massachusetts produces several professional sports leagues for such a small state, with teams routinely competing for the top spots, and this is focus of the sports betting.
Sports in Massachusetts
Centralized in Boston, Massachusetts, it has teams in all major leagues: NFL, NBA, NHL, and MLB.
NFL – National Football League
New England Patriots
They started as the Boston Patriots in 1959 as a member of the American Football League, joining the NFL in 1970. They changed their name when they moved from Boston to Foxborough in 1971. The team was not very successful until 2001, with the combination of coach Bill Belichick and quarterback Tom Brady from 2001 to 2019.
Some of their top records are:
- Most Super Bowl wins (6, tied with Pittsburgh Steelers)
- Most Super Bowl appearances (11)
- Most playoff wins (37)
- Longest winning streak of the regular season and playoff games (21 from October 2003 to October 2004)
- Most consecutive winning seasons (19 from 2001 to 2019)
- Most consecutive division titles (11 from 2009 to 2019)
- Only undefeated 16-game season (2007)
NHL – National Hockey League
Boston Bruins
Established in 1924, the Bruins are one of the original six NHL teams, including the Detroit Red Wings, Chicago Blackhawks, Montreal Canadiens, New York Rangers, and Toronto Maple Leafs. They have won six Stanley Cup championships, the fourth most in the league, tied with the Blackhawks. They played 67 seasons in the Boston Garden and moved to the TD Garden in 1995.
MLB – Major League Baseball
Boston Red Sox
Founded in 1901, the Boston Red Stockings changed its name in 1908. They have played in 13 World Series, winning nine championships, the third most in the league. The first World Series was played in 1903, which they won, defeating the Pittsburgh Pirates. In 1918, they won their fifth World Series before starting their 86-year championship drought. It was called the “Curse of the Bambino” after selling their star player, Babe Ruth, to their rivals, the New York Yankees. The drought ended in 2004 with their sixth World Series championship.
For all you trivia fans, the Red Sox and White Sox are the only teams in MLB that don’t end in “s.”
NBA – National Basketball Association
Boston Celtics
The team started in 1946 as one of the league’s original eight teams. They won their first NBA championship in 1957 and are now tied for the most championships (17) with their rivals, the Los Angeles Lakers. They have consistently been at the top of the league and hold the record for most recorded wins of any NBA team.
College Sports Teams
Not all schools have every type of sports team. The following schools provide football, basketball (women and men), baseball, softball, ice hockey (women and men), and soccer (women and men) – unless otherwise stated.
- Boston College Eagles – ACC conference
- Harvard University Crimson – Ivy League
- Holy Cross Crusaders – Patriot
- Stonehill College Skyhawks – Northeast conference
- University of Massachusetts Minutemen and Minutewomen – Atlantic 10 conference (No women’s hockey team)
- Boston University Terriers – Patriot conference (No football or baseball program)
- Northeastern University Huskies – Colonial Conference (No football or softball program)
- University of Massachusetts Lowell River Hawks (No football or women’s hockey program)
Massachusetts Sports Betting FAQ
States that already have legal sports betting
Many states have some level of legal wagers, and more are coming up all the time:
Arizona, Arkansas, Colorado, Connecticut, DC, Delaware, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Louisiana, Maryland, Maine, Michigan, Mississippi, Montana, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, North Carolina, North Dakota, Ohio, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Dakota, Tennessee, Virginia, Washington, West Virginia, Wisconsin, and Wyoming.
Massachusetts Sports Betting – Legal Sportsbooks
The Massachusetts sports wagering act became law in 2022. There are more compromises than the sports betting industry would hope. The Massachusetts sports betting law will only give a sports betting license to some online sportsbooks. Seven licenses will be granted initially. You will only be able to bet on in-state college teams during an NCAA tournament, for example. Betting is legal in Massachusetts, but only partially. The Massachusetts Gaming Commission knew that many in the state were going elsewhere to do their sports wagering. That’s why they wanted to catch up to their neighboring states. You need to be at least 21 to bet online or in person.
Massachusetts sports betting tax rate
Massachusetts sports bettors have to pay a 24% federal tax and a 5% state tax on all of their retail betting, college betting, and every other type of sports betting.
Massachusetts sports betting launch timeline
The Professional and College sports betting market is becoming legal in 2023. The projected Massachusetts sports betting revenue is not estimated but will be realized soon. Retail sports betting launched in January 2023. Online sports betting and mobile sports betting are expected to be legal on March 10, 2023.
Massachusetts online sportsbooks
Sports betting apps are expected to launch on March 10, 2023, with the legal online sports betting launch.
Where can Massachusetts residents place sports bets in person?
Sports betting in Massachusetts is legal. This is one of the most recent states to legalize sports betting. Retail sports betting can be done at any of the three state casinos. Online sports betting is expected to be legal in March of 2023. Sports betting legislation continues to roll out slowly, but Massachusetts bettors should see continual improvement over the coming years.
Plainridge Park Casino
There are three retail sportsbooks, and all are in the three state casinos. The three are:
- Encore Boston Harbor
- MGM Springfield
- Plainridge Park Casino