Massachusetts' new sports betting law: All you need to know

 

Sports betting is now a sure thing in Massachusetts after several years of uncertainty. After the Supreme Court overturned a federal ban in 2018, Gov. Charlie Baker signed a law legalizing sports betting on Wednesday, formally joining a wave of states that rushed to permit gambling on everything from the Super Bowl to college athletics.

 

Having initially introduced a sports betting measure in 2019, Baker said in a statement on Wednesday, "I am happy to be able to sign this bill into law today."

 

The new law makes Massachusetts the 36th state in the United States to permit sports betting, according to the American Gaming Association.

 

However, the new law in the Bay State is unique from sports betting regulations in surrounding states in a number of respects, and it will take some time to implement.

 

What you need to know:

 

Who's allowed to bet?

 

Similar to gambling at one of the state's casinos, sports betting in Massachusetts requires that you be at least 21 years old. That is comparable to Connecticut, although it is a little tougher than New Hampshire and Rhode Island, which permit sports betting for people as young as 18.

 

What exactly can you bet on?

 

All collegiate and professional sports are fair game. You may wager on e-sports as well. However, it is still illegal to wager on high school and youth sports.

 

There is one exception regarding betting on college sports: in-state college teams may only be gambled on if they are competing in a tournament.

 

For instance, all Boston College basketball games during the regular season are prohibited (at least in Massachusetts). However, if they are participating in March Madness or their conference tournament, you can wager on them. Unless a Massachusetts college football school is a member of the four-team College Football Playoff, you also wouldn't be able to wager on their playoff bowl game (although that's probably not a problem).

 

Where will I be able to place bets?

 

All of the state's currently operating casinos are now eligible to apply for a license to conduct live sports betting under the new law. In reality, sports bars that are essentially sports books-at-waiting have already been constructed in the casinos of the MGM in Springfield and Everett's Encore Boston Harbor. Additionally, the Plainridge Park Casino plans to open a sports book.

 

However, going to a casino is not your only choice.

 

Additionally, the law permits Suffolk Downs and Raynham Park, which have continued to accept simulcast betting on horse and dog races, to establish on-site sports books. Additionally, mobile sports betting applications will be available from the three casinos, two racetracks, and up to seven other businesses (like DraftKings or FanDuel).

 

The legislation stipulates that in order to place a wager, you must actually be in Massachusetts. Therefore, you won't be able to take your phone to another state, like Vermont, and make bets there. Although the exact enforcement method has not yet been specified, other jurisdictions that allow mobile sports betting utilize geotagging on websites and apps to confirm the user's location.

 

You could also gamble at establishments in Massachusetts like restaurants and motels at some time in the future.

 

The Massachusetts Gaming Commission is required by the new law to evaluate the viability of enabling retail establishments to run sports betting kiosks and provide a report to the Legislature by the end of the year with recommendations.

 

When will betting begin?

 

That sentence is a little hazy. There are no time limits or deadlines under the new statute. It does, however, give the Commission the responsibility of coming up with a licensing procedure and a number of other rules and regulations for the new business. That could take some time.

How exactly do you place a bet?

 

Another crucial detail: No credit cards.

 

This implies that in order to set up mobile betting accounts, you'll probably need a debit card or bank routing number. The goal of the rule is to prevent problem gamblers from accruing significant debt.

 

During a State House News Service forum this past spring, state senator Eric Lesser, one of the law's co-authors, said, "The idea that somebody somewhat impulsively could rack up massive credit card bills from their couch who might have an addiction issue or otherwise have a gambling problem — that's a big concern."

 

Are there any other safeguards?

 

Yes. There are some fundamental guidelines established by legislation, albeit the Gaming Commission will decide on the majority of them.

 

One is that anyone, even those with gambling issues, can add their name to a list of "self-excluded persons." Operators will be given the list, and they are required to prohibit people on it from making bets on their facilities or online platforms. (The list will remain secret otherwise.)