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Looking for a new sports betting site in Massachusetts? You’ll find the best new MA sports betting sites in this article!
The gambling industry in the US has been undergoing rapid changes since the 2018 Supreme Court ruling. Recently, Massachusetts joined the states that have legalized sports betting, with retail betting becoming legal on January 31, 2023. Additionally, online betting was officially approved on March 10, 2023, and the state’s gambling scene has been growing exponentially ever since.
While a select few top bookies have received operating licenses from the Massachusetts Gaming Commission (MGC), more betting sites are seeking approval to tap into the market, which could lead to an overflow of options for residents. While this is a good thing, finding the best new betting sites in Massachusetts may be difficult. To help you with this, our expert review outlines essential features that should be available on every top betting site, as well as warning signs to look out for. So, if you are a betting enthusiast in MA or you’re planning to visit soon, keep reading to learn more.
Currently, there are very few betting sites with a license from the Massachusetts Gaming Commission because the state legalized online betting recently. While these are all top brands, they take different approaches to ensuring player satisfaction. From the app design to the game selections, betting odds, payout, bonuses, customer support, payment methods, and overall ease of usage, we consider everything that can affect your gaming experience.
Hence, we ensure they meet our review criteria before recommending them. Meanwhile, as expected, more sportsbooks will be added. So, we constantly update our list and track changes in new and existing sites.
Even among the most notable betting sites, there is always something different about them. Although they may have very similar features, their approach to service delivery is always different. For example, almost every betting site offers a welcome bonus. However, there may be variations in the amount and the conditions attached to the offer.
As a new player, the task of finding the best new sportsbook may be exhausting. Meanwhile, not everyone is knowledgeable about online sports betting or how the best sites work. At Team Gambla, we always look beyond the beautiful website design, fancy bonuses, and graphics. Our experts know where to look and the crucial features that will have the most impact. In no particular order, these are the 5 top features every betting site in Massachusetts must have.
The quality of the bonus on a sportsbook can influence your betting experience if you make the wrong choice. Most times, these offers are not as good as their face value. For example, some betting sites offer sticky bonuses that get tied to your deposit. When that happens, you will not be able to make any withdrawals from the site unless you have completed the rollover requirements as stipulated.
Meanwhile, it doesn’t end there. Sometimes, the wagering requirements are such that it is practically impossible to complete them. That way, you lose everything if you do not meet the criteria within the time frame, which could be a problem. For most top sites, the requirements are clearly stated for you to see. However, many players often get carried away and do not read it. So, we look at the details of every bonus to ensure that it is good for you.
The Massachusetts Gambling Commission is responsible for issuing licenses and regulating the activities of sports betting operators in the state. Indeed, before registering on any site, it must have the necessary approval from the MGC.
Currently, there are only a few online betting sites with the permit, making it easier to monitor them. However, there are many offshore betting sites as well, which may not be safe. These bookies do not have authorization from the commission to offer their services to residents. As a result, they are not required to play by the book which could be dangerous for players.
So, a valid license ensures that operators comply with benchmark features like security and responsible gaming. We check the type of encryption software on the site. The most popular one is the 128-bit SSL encryption which is excellent. We also review the site’s policy on privacy and data to ensure that it is in the players’ best interest.
As gambling regulations vary from state to state, there is usually a slight difference in the expectations. For example, the same sportsbook available in New Jersey may have slightly different features to adhere to the requirements of the gambling laws in the state.
A typical scenario is a ban on credit cards on new Massachusetts betting sites. Players are not allowed to use Visa, Mastercard, or American Express. Similarly, the option of direct funding from your account is restricted. Hence, most players are left with options like PayPal, Neteller, Skrill, and other payment solutions.
Different betting sites integrate other payment methods to ensure that MA residents have enough options. So, we only recommend bookies with decent payment methods for a seamless betting experience.
Although most betting sites offer almost the same type of sports, the market coverage usually varies. Generally, you will find the most popular sports like tennis, horse racing, football, basketball, cricket, baseball, etc. However, most betting sites in the US focus more on the US market. Hence, seeing more events from the NFL, NCAA, NBA, and MLB is no surprise.
Likewise, many betting sites also include events from other countries. The English Premier League, UEFA competitions like the Champions and Europa League, Spanish la Liga, French Ligue 1, and the German Bundesliga are must-haves for the football markets. Also, the trend is similar for sports like cricket, basketball, and tennis.
Meanwhile, MA residents look forward to supporting local teams like Boston Celtics in the NBA, Boston Bruins in the NHL, Boston Red Sox in the MLB, and New England Patriots in the NFL. Of course, the goal is to make a well-informed wager after doing the necessary checks. However, there is always extra satisfaction when you find your local teams on a betting site.
A site’s customer service begins with the overall impression from the design to the service delivery. Most new betting sites provide different support channels like email, telephone, and live chat.
The FAQ section in most betting sites is often taken for granted. This section usually provides insights into the most popular questions about the site. In most cases, you may find the answers you seek just by reading the responses. However, if you need additional help, then it is best to use available communication channels.
Because online casinos are always open, we look for sites offering 24/7 customer support. That way, you can always get help before more damage is done. We check for the response time and quality to ensure you are in safe hands.
Bonuses are vital in online sports betting. For players, it means more money to place bets and boost winnings. For operators, it is a way of getting into the market. Meanwhile, you will find different types of offers in a new Massachusetts sportsbook.
Some bonuses target first-time players, while others focus on keeping these players on the site. Team Gambla shares more insights on the most common promos you’ll find at any top sportsbook.
Every betting site in Massachusetts offers a deposit bonus to new players. You can think of it as saying, “Thank you for choosing XYZ Sportsbook.” For example, the sportsbook you select might have an offer like this: “Get a 50% matchup bonus of up to $200 on your first deposit.” The explanation is that the site is ready to match your first deposit by half the amount, and you can get up to $200. So, if you decide to start with, say, $400, then you will receive an additional $200, bringing your account tally to $600.
Most betting sites might have a slightly different deposit bonus. However, one common thing is that you must deposit a certain amount to unlock the offer. Even more, there are usually some requirements that must be met. For example, some sportsbooks restrict the offer to specific payment methods, limiting your options. So, it is best to review all the requirements before you claim the offer.
Some betting sites offer members bonuses without any deposit. Although it is not very usual, in most cases, the offer comes after account verification. For example, a sportsbook might offer new players a No Deposit bonus of $10 once they complete their account verification process.
Understandably, the registration process on many sites takes time, and not every player is willing to wait. As a result, No Deposit bonuses are often used to motivate new members to complete the process and verify their accounts as soon as possible.
Generally, the offer is usually small with some restrictions. The wagering requirements are usually high, and you can use the bonus for specific sports, odds, and markets. Meanwhile, until you have completed the requirements for the offer, you cannot claim another one.
Cashback simply means that you will receive a certain amount of cash back when your wager is settled as a loss. This offer is primarily a consolation for your losses which is excellent. For example, a cashback of 10% means that you will receive the equivalent amount if you lose your bet. So, if you wagered $100 and lose it, you will get $10 as cashback.
Cashback usually has no additional wagering requirements considering that it is only a small fraction of your net losses. However, some betting sites offer decent cashback. While you may only have one 10% offer on a sportsbook, others might have two or three different cashback deals each week. Of course, losses are a part of the betting experience, but it feels better when you can get something back to start afresh.
If a site has a VIP scheme, you can earn exclusive rewards if you stick around. While there is a welcome bonus that focuses more on recruiting new players, the VIP program is a reward for loyalty. It is designed such that there are different levels with different reward systems.
You will get a VIP point each time you top up and wager. In some sportsbooks, every wager of $10 earns you a VIP point. Meanwhile, you may need 1,000 points to level up, meaning you must wager $10,000. You will find the details of the scheme in the dedicated section, and one of the motivations is the rewards.
As a member of the VIP program on a betting site, you are entitled to the following benefits:
Unusually high or low odds are signs to watch out for on a betting site. If the odds are too high, there must be a hidden agenda. Likewise, if the odds are too low, your chances of winning are almost impossible, which is not a good option. So, before you sign up on any site, ensure that you compare the odds, especially on significant events.
One of the benefits of using a site that provides multiple banking options is that you can make your choice. However, if a site imposes transaction fees, especially on withdrawals, that’s a red flag. The transaction should be free as long as the payment gateway is free.
If a betting site has no live chat tool, that’s a warning sign too. Usually, the live chat feature allows you to get instant responses from the support team. Other channels like email typically take a few hours, which isn’t great. So, ensure that the feature is available before you make your selection.
From point spreads, money lines, totals, player props, and parlays to futures, these are some of the most popular betting options you will find on betting sites in Massachusetts. These options are available in all sports, including football, cricket, tennis, horse racing, golf, basketball, baseball, and many more. Some sportsbook covers over 40 sports, including US and other global competitions.
You will find popular selections from the NCAA, the NFL, MLB, and other leagues. Also, these sites cover events from other top leagues based on the sports. For example, if you are a cricket fan, there are selections from India and Pakistan’s premier league. Moreover, you will find thousands of betting options for football from Spain, England, France, Germany, and UEFA competitions.
New and old betting sites have some features that make them unique. Based on individual preference, these are some standout features that will help you decide.
Feature/Type of Sportsbook | New Massachusetts betting sites | Old Massachusetts betting sites |
🎲 Live chat | 📌 Yes | 📌 Not always |
🎲 More extensive sports coverage | 📌 Yes | 📌 Not always |
🎲 Sites reputation | 📌 None | 📌 Yes |
🎲 Welcome bonus | 📌 Yes | 📌 Sometimes |
Whether new or old, no betting site has it all. However, the goal is always to find one that offers more benefits. Below are some pros and cons of new betting sites in Massachusetts.
Massachusetts is one of the newest states in the US to legalize online sports betting since March 2023. Although still new, only a few sites have a license from the MGC to operate in the state. Residents can freely bet on popular sports either online or offline.
New Massachusetts online sportsbook offers popular sports like football, tennis, cricket, horse racing, basketball, baseball, gold, etc. The site covers all the popular events in the US markets, like the NFL, NHL, MLB, etc. Likewise, you will also find events from other countries like the Spanish La Liga and others.
In line with the requirements of the MGC, the minimum betting age is 21 years. So, you must meet this requirement before accessing any betting site within the borders. Usually, players are expected to provide a valid government-issued ID for age verification during registration.
Generally, most new betting sites in Massachusetts are safe as long as they have a valid license from the MGC. However, there are also many offshore betting sites accessible to players. It is hard to vouch for these sites without the required license, so it is best to stay away.
The best new betting sites are those that have met our review criteria. While there are so many options, we only recommend those that will make your gaming experience worthwhile. So, you can trust our recommended options.
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