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Massachusetts Gaming Commission Approves Sports Betting Menu

Perry Sandra

Updated on January 25, 2023 at 12:00 PM EST. Read time: 1 minute and 58 seconds. Find more information on Twitter and Google News.

Some of the more than 400 proposition bets for Super Bowl LI are displayed as we look at the details surrounding the YieldSec report on illegal U.S. sports betting
Some of the more than 400 proposition bets for Super Bowl LI are displayed at the Race & Sports SuperBook at the Westgate Las Vegas Resort & Casino in Las Vegas, Nevada. Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images via AFP.

The Massachusetts Gaming Commission has officially authorized a comprehensive list of sports events for betting, but some well-known competitions have been excluded. Find out which sports will be available for betting in Massachusetts and which ones didn’t make the final list.

Fans of betting on major professional sports can now celebrate.

The MGC announced their decision on Tuesday regarding which sports will be featured on sports betting sites when legal wagering is launched at the end of the month. It is expected to include all major professional sports leagues, which is reassuring to see on the list.

The commission has officially approved a comprehensive list of betting options, which will be available for use starting on January 31st. Some of the top sportsbooks in the country will begin accepting retail bets in Massachusetts.

What can I bet on in Massachusetts?

Whispers had circulated about the MGC excluding certain mainstream sports from the list of betting options. However, by the end of Tuesday, the MGC had approved nearly all mainstream sports for wagering, including professional and college leagues both international and domestic.

In total, the “approved” list featured close to four pages of sports events, including popular leagues such as the NFL, NHL, NBA, WNBA, MLB, MLS, and collegiate sports. Additionally, other sports like Aussie Rules Football, international basketball, baseball, football, hockey leagues, combat sports, bowling, cricket, auto racing, and golf were also included in the extensive list.

What can I not bet on in Massachusetts?

The MGC’s list does not include the Summer and Winter Olympics, which are currently not available for betting at retail sportsbooks in Massachusetts. However, this is not a major issue at the moment since the next Olympics are over a year away.

Esports, chess, jai alai, and cornhole were also excluded.

Each time, the MGC held the right to review its decision before the state’s online sports betting launch, anticipated to occur in early or mid-March.

Bet types also approved

The MGC approved a wide range of bet types, mirroring those found in the majority of the 35+ legal sports betting states across the U.S. There were worries that the Commission would restrict betting markets for both bettors and sports betting sites in Massachusetts, but the sports menu was ultimately comprehensive.

The Commission approved the following betting markets with a unanimous vote.

  • Single-game bets
  • Totals
  • Moneylines
  • Parlays
  • Teasers
  • Exchange wagering
  • In-game and in-play betting
  • Props

Additionally, customers in Massachusetts will now have the opportunity to place bets on awards shows such as the Oscars, as well as a wide range of prop bets, which is particularly significant considering the vast array of Super Bowl props offered.

In the competitive landscape of sports betting in Massachusetts, bettors can anticipate promotions that meet or surpass industry standards, making it one of the most exciting sportsbook markets in the country.

Written By:
Perry Sandra
Perry Sandra and betting go hand-in-hand. Both are characterized by “odds”. Dave fancies himself as one of the most dedicated sports and pop-culture junkies around, to the chagrin of his family and friends. Following sports for 50 years and writing about it for 20, Dave hasn’t found a sport yet that can’t contribute to 2-3 straight hours of couch time. That search remains ongoing. As a good old Canadian boy, hockey is in Dave’s heart, as is curling sadly. But evolution is a real thing and that’s why football, baseball, and just about every sport on the planet has become a passion. Dave isn’t afraid to kill some time obsessing over politics or the far-too-frequent awards shows the consume the airwaves.