Amelia Walker, a J.D. holder and senior content writer at Betting.us, is a legal expert in responsible gambling. Initially skeptical, she now has over six years in professional gambling. She’s studied gambling law and currently educates gamblers on our site in legal and safe play.
Sports Betting Locations in Massachusetts
By Amelia Walker
Senior Content Writer at Betting.us
Updated: December 14, 2023
Welcome to our guide to retail sports betting in Massachusetts. In the following paragraphs, we'll focus on the gambling laws in the state, the functioning gambling facilities, and the history of betting within The Bay State.
Map of Retail Sports Betting in Massachusetts
Since betting is legal, the state is a home of a few race tracks and off-track betting facilities, that offer bets on horse racing and other sports. Check out the map below and sort by type.
Our Recommended Massachusetts Betting Locations
Retail sports betting was only legalized in Massachusetts in August 2022. Since then, operators have been rolling out in some of the state's most well known casino venues .Below, we have provided you with a list containing nothing but licensed and reliable betting facilities, such as casinos and off-track betting facilities.
| Name | Type | Website | Full Address | Review |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Raynham Park | Off-Track | www.raynhampark.net | 1958 Broadway, Raynham, MA 02767, USA | Read Review |
| Plainridge Park Casino | Off-Track | www.plainridgeparkcasino.com | 301 Washington St, Plainville, MA 02762, USA | Read Review |
Types of Retail Sports Betting Locations
There is a small but rapidly growing number of retail sports betting locations available to citizens in Massachusetts. We've done our best to find all casinos, racetracks, and off-track betting establishments located in the state. The largest and most notable gambling locations can be found in Boston.
Casino Resorts
At present, there are two casino resorts in total located in The Bay State. Both of them are casino resortsthat provide exclusive amenities, such as business rooms, meeting rooms, fitness centers, restaurants, bars, and many more. In the following table, we have listed all important details regarding every location.
Gambling at casinos is one of the activities that are completely legal for residents of the state. Most casinos feature diverse slot machines, poker tables, and other popular casino games.
Racetracks
In Massachusetts, betting on horse and dog races became legal back in 1934. That was the year when the first two dog race tracks were established within the state. Nevertheless, betting on greyhound racing is now prohibited, and people are only allowed to place bets on horse racings. The number of race tracks in Massachusetts is really not impressive, and it equals only two.
Suffolk Downs and Plainridge Park Casino are the only places where you will be able to give pari-mutuel wagering a shot. Both locations also provide guests with the possibility to bet on simulcast horse races. What's more, they are open throughout most days of the week, giving you the chance to try out your luck at any time.
| Racetracks | Types of Racing | Review link |
|---|---|---|
| Suffolk Downs |
Horse Racing
|
Read Review |
| Plainridge Park Casino |
Horse Racing
|
Read Review |
Off-Track Betting
Off-track betting facilities are available statewide, allowing horse racing fans to place wagers on simulcast horse races. There are currently three venues in state. The most popular off-track betting facility is The Suffolk Downs, which is located in East Boston, MA.
Cruise Ships and Riverboats
At present times, there aren't any cruise ships of riverboats in Massachusetts that deliver gambling facilities. The only places allowing punters to wager real money are the casinos, the racetracks, and the off-track betting establishments. For your convenience, we've listed each operating facility in the previous sections.
List of Legal Offline Sportsbooks in Massachusetts
The number of legal brick-and-mortar sportsbooks is small but growing. To make things easier for you, we've compiled the following table. It consists of all authorized betting destinations in the state.
Search for Sportsbooks in Massachusetts
| Casino Name: | Address: | Secure Link: | City: |
|---|---|---|---|
| Boston | |||
| Suffolk Downs | 111 Waldemar Ave, Boston, MA 02128, USA | ||
| Plainridge Park Casino | 301 Washington St, Plainville, MA 02762, USA | ||
| Raynham Park | 1958 Broadway, Raynham, MA 02767, USA | ||
History of Sports Betting in Massachusetts
In Massachusetts, residents were historically only permitted to place pari-mutuel bets at race tracks and off-track betting establishments. However, this has recently changed with the passage in August 2022 of House Bill 5164, which legalized sports betting in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts (including paving the way for online sportsbooks in Massachusetts). Here's a timeline of developments
| Year | Title | Description |
|---|---|---|
| 1934 | Legalization of Betting on Horse and Dog Races | 1935 was the year when betting on horse, and dog racings became legal. That was also the year when the first dog track was established in the state. A few years later, harness racing began, as well. At the moment, there are two operating horse race tracks in Massachusetts. |
| 1971 | Establishment of Massachusetts State Lottery | In 1719 Massachusetts banned all private lotteries due to public social pressure. In the following years, lotteries in the state have gone through numerous authorizations and prohibitions. The current Massachusetts Lottery was established in 1971, and it's still active even today. It sells scratchcards and draw games. |
| 2009 | Ban on Greyhound Racing | All residents of the state are permitted to place pari-mutuel bets on horse racings being conducted at race tracks or live-streamed at off-track betting facilities. In 2009, however, the Massachusetts legislature imposed ban on betting on greyhound races. |
| 2022 | Legalization of Sports Betting | Governer Charlie Barker signs into effect House Bill No. 5164, An Act to Regulate Sports Wagering, which legalizes sports betting throughout the commonwealth and taks the Massachusetts Gaming Commmission with its oversight and regulation. |
About Massachusetts
The Commonwealth of Massachusetts is steeped in American history being the birthplace of the American Revolution. It's home to renowned higher education institutions like Harvard University and MIT. With charming coastal towns, historic landmarks, and a rich cultural scene, it offers a unique blend of tradition and innovation.
| Capital | Boston |
|---|---|
| Largest City | Plymouth |
| Population | 6.893 million |
| Area | 27,363 km² |
| Time zone | GMT-4 |
| State Nickname(s) | The Bay State, The Baked Bean State, The Codfish State, The Pilgrim State |
| Motto | Ense petit placidam sub libertate quietem |
Helping Hand for Gamblers in Massachusetts
Anyone who suffers from gambling addiction can contact the MA Problem Gambling Helpline. The helpline is absolutely free of charge, and it's fully confidential. For your convenience, we've listed some resources you should turn to in the first instance below. You can also turn to our general guide on responsible gambling for more information.
Help for Compulsive Gambling in Massachusetts
- Hotlines The MA Problem Gambling Helpline, 1-800-327-5050 gamblinghelplinema.org
- Help centres The Massachusetts Council on Gaming and Health, 83 Morse Street Building 6, Suite 8F Norwood, MA 02062 1-800-426-1234 gamblinghelplinema.org
Sports Betting Lawyers in Massachusetts
- Ryan M. Cunningham 617-542-5542www.fitchlp.com
FAQ
Is there a list of every retail sportsbook in Massachusetts?
Massachusetts has a growing number of retail sportsbooks and we've started compiling a list of them throughout the state higher up in this article for you to reference. Sports betting has only recently been legalized, so keep checking back for updates.
What type of sports betting locations are there in Massachusetts?
We've made a list of the different types of in-person sports betting available to sports fans in Massachusetts. The list is small, but growing.
How much revenue does betting generate in Massachusetts?
According to the Massachusetts Gaming Commission, $59.2 million of tax revenue has already been raised for the commonwealth in the short time since legalization. Check out our about section for more information.
What is the history of sports betting in the state of Massachusetts?
Massachusetts's relationship to sports betting is very recent, as legalization only came into effect in August of 2022. We've made a timeline of Massachusetts's history of sports betting in our dedicated guide above.