Will Massachusetts online sports betting soon be legal?

Momentum continues to build toward the sports capital of New England welcoming legal sports betting. For many industry experts it’s a question of when rather than if The Bay State joins the list of states with full-scale online sports betting in the US. But how will sports gambling shape up in Massachusetts?

Here are the key takeaways of the proposed bill:

Who will be able to legally wager?

Players at least 21 years of age and located in MA.

What will MA sports betting allow?

Players will have the option of betting online via betting sites and apps and in-person at physical retail locations.

Will mobile sports betting be permitted?

Yes, the framework will permit bettors to wager from smartphones - as long as a player is located within Massachusetts at the time a bet is placed.

Will I be required to create a betting account from a land-based location?

No. The industry will be similar to New Jersey and Pennsylvania in allowing players to sign-up from a remote location - you will even be able to do so from home!

Which online sportsbooks will be available?

Would any online sports betting market look right without FanDuel and DraftKings!! A framework largely favorable for online operators will see the biggest and the best names roll out their books via apps and betting sites. Expect Boston-based DraftKings to head the queue on home soil.

Who will regulate MA online sports betting?

The Massachusetts Gaming Commission (MGC) will oversee the industry and be responsible for the issuing of sports betting licenses.

What sports will I be able to bet on?

Popular pro sports such as football, hockey, basketball and baseball, as well as international sports perhaps not as popular in MA.

Will there be anything I can’t bet on?

Yes, a few things namely Division II and Division III college sports, prop bets on individual players competing in Division I events, eSports and the Olympics.

What’s the likely timeframe for MA sports betting?

The attempts of other states legalizing sports betting have been closely monitored by Massachusetts state legislators who have rather shrewdly, watched on and taken notes from afar. But with the State Governor clear in his desire to give the green light, belief is growing that we could see MA sports betting before the end of 2020. As we’ve seen time and again in with US sports betting so far, nothing is set in stone!

• Statewide mobile sports betting
• In-person betting at land-based casinos
• Three MA casinos to be authorized for sports betting
• Up to three online skins per licensed casino
• 12% tax rate online, 10% retail
• License cost for casinos and online books: $500,000